UK joins laser nuclear fusion project

[TimberWolf]

The UK has formally joined forces with a US laser lab in a bid to develop clean energy from nuclear fusion.

"I think that what's going on both in the UK and in the US shows that we are now making significant progress on this technology," he [UK's science minister] said. "It can't any longer be dismissed as something on the far distant horizon."

Nif's director Ed Moses [the guy who wants money] told the meeting that ignition [self-sustaining fusion reaction that would far surpass break-even] was drawing ever nearer [not heard that before].

"Our goal is to have ignition within the next couple of years," he said. [I doubt he is willing to take bets]

"We've done fusion at fairly high levels already. Even on Sunday night, we did the highest fusion yield that has ever been done." [Hmm]

Professor Collier said the technological challenges that presented were incredible opportunities. [Kerching]

BBC News - UK joins laser nuclear fusion project

It's hard not to be sceptical, but at least it's money better spent than on bwankers. And probably a lot less money too. Funding figures weren't provided in the article.

[d000hg]

Has this tech ever been theoretically "proven" as much as theory can be - i.e. do the scientists agree on the theory and simply can't implement it, or are they making up the theory as they go through the decades of attempts?

[TimberWolf]

Has this tech ever been theoretically "proven" as much as theory can be - i.e. do the scientists agree on the theory and simply can't implement it, or are they making up the theory as they go through the decades of attempts?

Yes, Einstein proved it donkey's years ago. In theory the energy needed to bring fusing atoms close enough together is much less than the energy released, and in theory the energy released could be used to help along more fusions and a self sustaining reaction continue (the odds of fusion happening is related to temperature, pressure and some other variables). In practise, who knows.

[minestrone]

When I think of Science Minister I think of Tony Benn and the Minister of Technology title which put us into techno under drive with the list of endless socialist boondoggles.

[DodgyAgent]

It's hard not to be sceptical, but at least it's money better spent than on bwankers. And probably a lot less money too. Funding figures weren't provided in the article.

I am not sure what bankers have got to do with this, other than the fact that 60% of their earnings go to government who should be supporting these sorts of projects.

[gingerjedi]

They were talking about this on R4 this morning, apparently they're not too far off break even on energy in/out.

Could be the dawn of a new age?

[doodab]

They were talking about this on R4 this morning, apparently they're not too far off break even on energy in/out.

Could be the dawn of a new age?

Yes, a new age of profitability for the utility companies who will charge us all extra for using their new "green" energy.

[TimberWolf]

I am not sure what bankers have got to do with this, other than the fact that 60% of their earnings go to government who should be supporting these sorts of projects.

Yeah, but their earnings come from the government [or rather, the tax payer]

Perhaps you're right, maybe when all the pluses and minuses are cancelled out they do actually end up with a pluses. Not at the moment though, it's minuses all the way, and bonuses?

[gingerjedi]

Nah.

What's so funny?

You only need to reproduce the the conditions at the centre of a star here on earth, how hard can it be?

[TimberWolf]

What's so funny?

You only need to reproduce the the conditions at the centre of a star here on earth, how hard can it be?

And even then, under those conditions, reactions are painfully rare. The average atom in our sun takes over a billion years to get around to fusing. Luckily there are lots of them. If it were much quicker our sun would have burnt out by now.