this post was submitted on 10 Feb 2024
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Clean energy could be 'closer than ever' after a nuclear fusion machine smashed a record (qz.com)
submitted 8 months ago by L4s@lemmy.world to c/technology@lemmy.world
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Clean energy could be 'closer than ever' after a nuclear fusion machine smashed a record::JET's final nuclear fusion experiment produced a record-breaking 69 megajoules of heat. Nice.

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[–] Cocodapuf@lemmy.world 3 points 8 months ago (3 children)

Tokamaks... sigh.

When it finally works, you will have invented the most expensive form of energy we've ever imagined. Congratulations.

I mean, don't get me wrong, I'm excited for fusion. Fusion has some amazing potential as a power source and propulsion for space ships. But outside of that application, I don't know... I'm pissemistic. I do not think it will be the global energy revolution so many people seem to think it will be. It will not be unlimited cheap energy, not be a longshot.

[–] umbrella@lemmy.ml 3 points 8 months ago (1 children)

its gonna be unlimited expensive energy, which is a start.

except we needed a start 20 years ago, not now lol

[–] Cocodapuf@lemmy.world 1 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

Is it unlimited though? I mean sure, the fuel is abundant, we have hydrogen. But the other support materials are quite limited, berillium, helium, nuclear engineers. I don't think we have enough of all of that for an energy revolution.

[–] RubberElectrons@lemmy.world 1 points 8 months ago

There are several other topologies with promise. But even a tokamak can use its first wall latent heat to turn the archaic steam turbine.

While I also have low expectations for plasma density in tokamaks, they're able to keep plasma at fusion temperatures for minutes at a time.