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US lab behind fusion breakthrough reaches ignition again

bloomberg.com

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Re: US lab behind fusion breakthrough reaches ignition again

#3
My understanding is that the NIF was primarily to explore weapons research in the guise of fusion research.

We could use some nuclear miracles to help out with decarbonizing and it seems like we'd be better served investing in something that could possibly become viable (especially with the recent superconductor news).

Re: US lab behind fusion breakthrough reaches ignition again

#4
post #3

My understanding is that the NIF was primarily to explore weapons research in the guise of fusion research. We could use some nuclear miracles to help out with decarbonizing and it seems like we'd be better served investing in something that could possibly become viable (especially with the recent superconductor news).

What's the weapons angle for sustained fusion research? We've had the tech to reliably turn heavy water into 100 million casualties per warhead for >50 years.

Re: US lab behind fusion breakthrough reaches ignition again

#5
post #4
post #3

My understanding is that the NIF was primarily to explore weapons research in the guise of fusion research. We could use some nuclear miracles to help out with decarbonizing and it seems like we'd be better served investing in something that could possibly become viable (especially with the recent superconductor news).

What's the weapons angle for sustained fusion research? We've had the tech to reliably turn heavy water into 100 million casualties per warhead for >50 years.

No fission primary stage.

Re: US lab behind fusion breakthrough reaches ignition again

#6
post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What's the weapons angle for sustained fusion research? We've had the tech to reliably turn heavy water into 100 million casualties per warhead for >50 years.

No fission primary stage.

Ah nice, then they'd be easy to build without detection, and proliferation treaties become unenforceable. What could go wrong?

I think my mind just changed on whether fusion energy breakthroughs would end up as a net good.

Re: US lab behind fusion breakthrough reaches ignition again

#7
post #4
post #3

My understanding is that the NIF was primarily to explore weapons research in the guise of fusion research. We could use some nuclear miracles to help out with decarbonizing and it seems like we'd be better served investing in something that could possibly become viable (especially with the recent superconductor news).

What's the weapons angle for sustained fusion research? We've had the tech to reliably turn heavy water into 100 million casualties per warhead for >50 years.

probably because they can't test nuclear bombs anymore so this is alternative to gain any any new knowledge that puts US ahead of the rest? just look up NIF its a facility for weapons research

"It supports nuclear weapon maintenance and design by studying the behavior of matter under the conditions found within nuclear explosions"

Re: US lab behind fusion breakthrough reaches ignition again

#9
post #3

My understanding is that the NIF was primarily to explore weapons research in the guise of fusion research. We could use some nuclear miracles to help out with decarbonizing and it seems like we'd be better served investing in something that could possibly become viable (especially with the recent superconductor news).

Sure its primary purpose is to gather data on nuclear fusion to help ensure that the nuclear stockpile is reliable without having to test it, but it isn't like them probing the conditions and behaviors of fusion ignition isn't meaningful for fusion reactors as well.

Re: US lab behind fusion breakthrough reaches ignition again

#10
post #4
post #3

My understanding is that the NIF was primarily to explore weapons research in the guise of fusion research. We could use some nuclear miracles to help out with decarbonizing and it seems like we'd be better served investing in something that could possibly become viable (especially with the recent superconductor news).

What's the weapons angle for sustained fusion research? We've had the tech to reliably turn heavy water into 100 million casualties per warhead for >50 years.

Pretty much zero afaik. If anything goes wrong the reactor just fizzles out.
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