ScalziDec 12, 2022

This is the biggest news on the planet right now, although I understand how most folks don't think so yet. But it has the potential to be literally world changing.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2022/12/11/fusion-nuclear-energy-breakthrough/

U.S. to announce fusion energy ‘breakthrough’

Scientists hit a key milestone in the quest to create abundant zero-carbon power through nuclear fusion. But they still have a long way to go.

The Washington Post
Show thread[email protected] migraDec 12, 2022
@scalzi why would it be different from previous announcements? I have been hearing about incoming nuclear fusion reactors since I was born, and yet there are none working for real.
Show threadskywiseDec 12, 2022
@lgvs @scalzi this is different in that this is the first time ever that energy output exceeds energy input for fusion reactions.
Show thread[email protected] migra

@skywise @scalzi @beowuff @drfyzziks ok, bu if I'm not mistaken, I remember that some research group already reached an "even" output some years ago, but even if theoretical output is slightly more than input, collecting all the energy and turning it into real electric power is quite a challenge.

Let's wait and see what the announcement actually is about!

Dec 12, 2022 at 7:46pmWeb
Show threadDr. FyzziksDec 12, 2022
@lgvs @skywise @scalzi @beowuff Exactly :)
Show threadDr. FyzziksDec 12, 2022
@lgvs @skywise @scalzi @beowuff I think you're mistaken re: previous breakeven experiments. IIRC the closest anyone got was 71% of breakeven last year (https://www.science.org/content/article/explosive-new-result-laser-powered-fusion-effort-nears-ignition). Quite curious to see what they end up announcing tomorrow.
With explosive new result, laser-powered fusion effort nears ‘ignition’

National Ignition Facility’s latest fusion shot records a major jump in energy yield