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 threadRobert ThauDec 13, 2022
@skywise @lgvs @scalzi The energy output from the NIF fusion exceeded what came in in the light from the laser beams. But the lasers are really inefficient, so that was only 1% or so of the electirc power going *into* the laser beams. So, this result is of theoretical interest, but still nowhere near the output levels you'd need to operate a plant with significant net output.
Show threadskywise
@rst @lgvs @scalzi ah everything I was reading was saying that it was Net Energy input compared to output. Perhaps that was premature or just incorrect.
Dec 13, 2022 at 6:40pmWeb
Show threadRobert ThauDec 13, 2022
@skywise @lgvs @scalzi If you look at the energy going into the target (the light beams), the energy going out was more than went in. If you look at the electricity powering the lasers... it was still a whole lot less. A lot of press coverage has muffed the difference, and I'm not sure even the science folks are trying to set anyone straight. Their bosses sure aren't.