ITER Fusion - 100 Years Away
The BBC reports that tokamak fusion may be 100 years off.
The Iter project was set up three years ago to build an experimental nuclear fusion reactor in the south of France.The ITER guys have a well paid flack you can watch at the BBC link extolling the virtues of ITER. He calls it the world's biggest science experiment.
But construction costs alone have more than doubled and some scientists now argue that the development of fusion as a commercial power source is still at least 100 years away.
Compare that to the applied research on the Polywell WB-8 Fusion Reactor test which is now gearing up. And with the experiments already completed and contemplated We Will Know In Two Years if the design can produce limitless fusion energy. Or if it is just another interesting science experiment. And the answer won't cost $20 billion either.
You can learn the basics of fusion energy by reading Principles of Fusion Energy: An Introduction to Fusion Energy for Students of Science and Engineering
Polywell is a little more complicated. You can learn more about Polywell and its potential at: Bussard's IEC Fusion Technology (Polywell Fusion) Explained
The American Thinker has a good article up with the basics.
Why hasn't Polywell Fusion been fully funded by the Obama administration?
H/T rn via e-mail
Cross Posted at Classical Values
1 comment:
'We will know in 15 years time' - meanwhile the Polywell guys will (hopefully!) have a working reactor in 10 years time...
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