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[ComputerMKII]

Nuclear fusion milestone passed at US lab

Researchers at a US lab have passed a crucial milestone on the way to their ultimate goal of achieving self-sustaining nuclear fusion.

Harnessing fusion - the process that powers the Sun - could provide an unlimited and cheap source of energy.

But to be viable, fusion power plants would have to produce more energy than they consume, which has proven elusive.

Now, a breakthrough by scientists at the National Ignition Facility (NIF) could boost hopes of scaling up fusion.

NIF, based at Livermore in California, uses 192 beams from the world's most powerful laser to heat and compress a small pellet of hydrogen fuel to the point where nuclear fusion reactions take place.

The BBC understands that during an experiment in late September, the amount of energy released through the fusion reaction exceeded the amount of energy being absorbed by the fuel - the first time this had been achieved at any fusion facility in the world.

This is a step short of the lab's stated goal of "ignition", where nuclear fusion generates as much energy as the lasers supply. This is because known "inefficiencies" in different parts of the system mean not all the energy supplied through the laser is delivered to the fuel.

But the latest achievement has been described as the single most meaningful step for fusion in recent years, and demonstrates NIF is well on its way towards the coveted target of ignition and self-sustaining fusion.

For half a century, researchers have strived for controlled nuclear fusion and been disappointed. It was hoped that NIF would provide the breakthrough fusion research needed.

In 2009, NIF officials announced an aim to demonstrate nuclear fusion producing net energy by 30 September 2012. But unexpected technical problems ensured the deadline came and went; the fusion output was less than had originally been predicted by mathematical models.

Soon after, the $3.5bn facility shifted focus, cutting the amount of time spent on fusion versus nuclear weapons research - which was part of the lab's original mission.

However, the latest experiments agree well with predictions of energy output, which will provide a welcome boost to ignition research at NIF, as well as encouragement to advocates of fusion energy in general.

It is markedly different from current nuclear power, which operates through splitting atoms - fission - rather than squashing them together in fusion.

NIF, based at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, is one of several projects around the world aimed at harnessing fusion. They include the multi-billion-euro ITER facility, currently under construction in Cadarache, France.

However, ITER will take a different approach to the laser-driven fusion at NIF; the Cadarache facility will use magnetic fields to contain the hot fusion fuel - a concept known as magnetic confinement.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-24429621

 

[News Bot]

Now to weaponize it!

 

[fanboi]

This would be one step towards a better future... and the longevity of the human race.

 

[ComputerMKII]

This would be one step towards a better future... and the longevity of the human race.

Until North Korea fucks it up for everyone.

 

[Winnie the Pimp]

love how the first 2 replies embody both the best and worst possible outcomes for this tech...

 

[plasmasd]

Almost time for hoverboards and flying deloreans. Great Scott!

 

[Drazgul]

It's still sucking several magnitudes more energy than it is putting out, nothing to really get excited over:

http://www.reddit.com/r/technology/comments/1nxtyb/nuclear_fusion_milestone_passed_at_us_lab/ccn4iwq

"The energy required to power the laser for a single shot exceeds the fusion yield energy of this particular shot by a factor of TEN THOUSAND."

 

[Hrothgar]

Hah, I just read an article that talked about increased pressure by policymakers on the NIF to shift attention from ignition fusion the other day.

Good to hear.

 

[ComputerMKII]

Almost time for hoverboards and flying deloreans. Great Scott!

Screw Mr. Fusion. Where are my hydratable pizzas?

 

[fanboi]

It's still sucking several magnitudes more energy than it is putting out, nothing to really get excited over:

http://www.reddit.com/r/technology/comments/1nxtyb/nuclear_fusion_milestone_passed_at_us_lab/ccn4iwq

"The energy required to power the laser for a single shot exceeds the fusion yield energy of this particular shot by a factor of TEN THOUSAND."

I don't think the factor matter so much, as soon as they figure it out it would probably go really fast of getting more energy compared to what it consumes.

 

[ЯAW]

It's still sucking several magnitudes more energy than it is putting out, nothing to really get excited over:

http://www.reddit.com/r/technology/comments/1nxtyb/nuclear_fusion_milestone_passed_at_us_lab/ccn4iwq

"The energy required to power the laser for a single shot exceeds the fusion yield energy of this particular shot by a factor of TEN THOUSAND."

Yup, we probably have to wait until ITER is functional to see "working" fusion project.

 

[Joni]

Sounds awesome. I'm a huge supporter of nuclear fusion. I hope we get there during my life.

 

[Nerdkiller]

"The power of the sun...in the palm of my hand."

In good time, my people. In good time.

 

[Chichikov]

Not quite there yet, but that's a great step forward, I'm really hoping I get to see a working fusing reactor in my life.

p.s.
And can you guess who tried to block funding to NIF?

 

[ElectricBlue187]

Awesome. So glad to hear some good news about this potentially world changing technology

 

[Rajack]

Not quite there yet, but that's a great step forward, I'm really hoping I get to see a working fusing reactor in my life.

p.s.
And can you guess who tried to block funding to NIF?

Anything to maintain the world-killing status-quot that the rich aristocracy cling to like a safety blanket am I right?