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Fusion energy, the ‘holy grail’ of clean power, a step closer to reality – The Washington Post

The Department of Energy plans to announce Tuesday that scientists have been able for the first time to produce a fusion reaction that creates a net energy gain — a major milestone in the decades-long, multibillion-dollar quest to develop a technology that provides unlimited, cheap, clean power.

The aim of fusion research is to replicate thenuclear reaction through which energy is created on the sun. It is a “holy grail” of carbon-free power that scientists have been chasing since the 1950s. [continues]

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23 thoughts on “Energized”

  1. A Fusion Energy Breakthrough? Major Announcement Expected From US Scientists – CNET

    Scientists at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory may have achieved a remarkable new high point for fusion reactions, generating even more energy than was pumped in during a recent experiment, according to a report by the Financial Times. 
    The publication suggests scientists “with knowledge of preliminary results from a recent experiment” have discussed the result and analysis is ongoing. A major announcement is scheduled to take place at LLNL on Tuesday, Dec. 13. It’s expected to be livestreamed by the Department of Energy at approximately 7 a.m. PT.
    The National Ignition Facility operates an “inertial confinement fusion” experiment, which sees almost 200 lasers fired directly at a tiny capsule of hydrogen. According to Nathan Garland, a physicist at Griffith University in Australia, the lasers create a plasma around the capsule which eventually starts an implosion — these conditions allow for fusion reactions to take place. 
    Fusion is the reaction that powers our sun and it works by smashing two heavy atoms together. This requires extreme pressure and extreme heat but trying to recreate the conditions in a lab is “super difficult,” noted Garland.
    The energy released by fusing the two atoms together is massive and, importantly, releases no carbon. Unlike fission — splitting atoms — used in nuclear power plants, fusion also leaves behind no radioactive waste and there’s no risk of meltdown, either. In short, if we could harness fusion power, it would revolutionize energy, allowing us to generate clean power without pumping greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. 
    If the FT report and chatter on social media is correct, scientists at LLNL could have achieved “fusion energy gain” which is denoted by the letter Q. In a fusion experiment, if Q > 1, then we’re on our way to a bona fide energy breakthrough, one that scientists have long been dreaming of reaching. “It is a big deal for sure, if true,” Garland said.  
    But, as with all science, it’s good to be cautious and not overhype results yet to be fully analyzed. We have been here before, after all. In 2013, reports swirled the NIF had achieved this exact feat. It wasn’t the case. 
    In more recent times, though, NIF has taken big strides toward achieving the goal. In August 2021, researchers reported they had, for a brief moment, re-created the power of the sun in a self-sustaining reaction. That’s a good pedigree and one that makes us here at CNET Science feel a little more confident in the rumors. 
    A spokesperson for LLNL told CNET “our analysis is still ongoing, so we’re unable to provide details or confirmation at this time” and provided a link to the media advisory — which, in all caps, suggests a “MAJOR SCIENTIFIC BREAKTHROUGH.”
    [continues]

  2. meanwhile, the rest of us are just trying to generate enough energy to finish holiday baking, shopping, wrapping and shipping gifts.   santa’s workshop here needs a bit of that fusion energy.

  7.  

    Dearest John:

    I went to the door today and the postman delivered a partridge in a pear tree. What a delightful gift. I couldn’t have been more surprised.

    With dearest love and affection, Agnes

    ***

    December 15th

    Dearest John:

    Today the postman brought your very sweet gift. Just imagine, two turtle doves…. I’m just delighted at your very thoughtful gift. They are just adorable.

    All my love, Agnes

    ***

    To be continued:  Christmas Humor (dezert-rose.com)

     

  8. https://www.cnbc.com/2022/12/12/elon-musk-booed-by-crowd-at-dave-chapelle-comedy-gig.html
     
    A Merry Christmas to y’all!
     
     

    “Comedian Dave Chappelle brought Elon Musk out on the stage during a gig at the Chase Center in San Francisco.”

    “Musk drew criticism for a tweet Sunday targeting Anthony Fauci, the outgoing U.S. chief medical advisor, while mocking the use of pronouns to refer to a person’s gender.”

    “In a video shared on Twitter, the crowd can be heard jeering Musk…”

    “The owner of the video that was posted on Twitter appears to have had their account suspended or has taken it down, with a message reading: “This Tweet is from an account that no longer exists.”

    Maybe Santa can bring Elon some duct tape for his fragile ego…or a conscience. Chappelle is just Ye hiding behind the it’s-comedy-so-you-can’t-touch-me screen.

  9. More than a couple really bad jokes at that dezert-rose site, Jamie, but also a few hidden gems in there.
     
    Good piece at today’s WaPo about how the government screwed up its response to the emerging Fentanyl threat after we went after the heroin cartels a decade or so ago.
     
    And MTG – the gift that keeps on giving. If she (and Bannon) had planned the insurrection they would have won and would have been armed.  Warning, Moron on the loose.

  10. Ah, Yes, I read that headline.
    Fusion energy, clean, cheap and inexhaustible, just twenty years down the road…
    Back in oh 78 or 79, the brother-in-law was a construction project manager for a bunch nuclear researcher at MU. They were very smart, but they didn’t know how stuff went together. At the time they were certain they were on to a breakthrough that would revolutionize, ect, ect.
    I think I’ve read it a couple of times since. 
    It is the holy Grail, I’m sure if were just give those folks a few more dollars …
     
    But we can hope.
    Now, cold fusion, that is real.
    Jack
     

  11. Pogo
    Following the antics of MTG is about like watching broadcast TV, not something I really like to do with my time.
    Jack

  12. Jack, you’re wise beyond, well you know.  But, … right now she seems to be everywhere. Stupidity out loud attracts attention.

  13. Pogo
    We give too much attention to the MTG/Elon/Trumps of this world and not enough to those like this couple.
    He was an avid surfer, who was paralyzed in an accident, he thought he would never surf again. His girlfriend learned to surf, Now, she carries him and his board down to the water, they both paddle out and surf back in and she carries him back to his chair.
    Fortunately, we live in a world where there are many more people like her than MTG.
    Jack

  15. I guess Sinema was hogging the limelight.  What was poor mtg to do? 

    Do you think she’s making noise for a VP spot? Lake is still screeching, so is mtg trying to make sure Orange Adolf doesn’t forget about her?

  19. https://www.dallasnews.com/news/education/2022/12/12/keller-isd-trustees-poised-to-vote-on-allowing-school-employees-to-carry-guns/

    “Under the state’s “guardian” plan – utilized by hundreds of districts – school boards can authorize employees to carry guns on campus, with some guardrails. Texas also allows school districts, private schools and community colleges to confidentially appoint one or more “marshals” per campus. These marshals, who may be teachers or staff members, have access to a handgun at school.”

  22. Wow, these people are amazing, USAF Choir “the Singing Sergeants”, in solidarity with Ukraine 🇺🇸 🤝 🇺🇦 🎄 

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