Scientists with the Department of Energy have made what's being hailed as the most significant breakthrough in ending our fossil fuel addiction.
For the first time, a fusion experiment generated more power than it took to start. Researchers at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (a federal nuclear weapons facility) believe their work could lead to an unlimited, clean and cheap power source someday in the not-too-distant future.
The process to begin harnessing the power of the sun has eluded scientists for decades. Many consider it the biggest scientific news in years.
The New York Times has more:
The advance is expected to be announced Tuesday by the Department of Energy, which said a “major scientific breakthrough” was made at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California. Jennifer Granholm, the energy secretary, and White House and other Energy Department officials are expected to be in attendance. The Financial Times reported on Sunday that the scientific advance involves the National Ignition Facility, or NIF, which uses giant lasers to create conditions that briefly mimic the explosions of nuclear weapons.
The government official, who spoke anonymously to discuss results that are not yet public, said that the fusion experiment at NIF achieved what is known as ignition, where the fusion energy generated equals the laser energy that started the reaction. Ignition is also called energy gain of one.
A scientist familiar with the results who spoke anonymously for the same reason also confirmed that NIF has achieved ignition.
Such a development would improve the ability of the United States to maintain its nuclear weapons without nuclear testing and could set the stage for future progress that could one day lead to the use of laser fusion as a source of carbon-free energy.
Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson explained last night why this discovery could change the future of energy:
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Meanwhile, the untapped carbon-based resources are sufficient for at least half a millennium–so hardly any rush! Our biggest energy enemy remains the egregious energy over-regulation by a government bent on controlling people rather than enabling them.
Now to make plans How to produce reactors commercially
No problem, our government politicians will hand it over to china to produce.
Yeah, as if maintaining a reaction temperature close to that in the interior of the SUN were a but a noble experiment with negligible cost.
Left-wing loony liberals will absolutely LOVE this new source of renewable, clean energy.
Until they don’t.
Earth surface fusion as a controlled supplier of energy has always been a boondoggle. It is impossible on Earth. We will never have the technology to hold a plasma reaction and see a sufficient positive energy return. Look, I have no objection to expensive science experiments that lead to nothing. It helps support the scientists and their families running it. Instead of giving billions to an impossible technology goal, just give the scientists the money outright for NOT doing the research.
It would save us billions.
It will ALWAYS be ten or more years away. Give it up. It is impossible. It’s not just me. Look up Sabine Hossenfelder, Ph.D.
sanjosemike (no longer in CA)