i mostly just sandbag here and try to learn, but I saw an article recently where scientists say that they got more energy out than they put in during a nuclear fusion experiment, and i could not find a reference to it here.
(of course searching the word fusion leads to a lot of results!)
here is a link:
http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9246307/Scientists_achieve_nuclear_fusion_with_giant_laser (http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9246307/Scientists_achieve_nuclear_fusion_with_giant_laser)
so, is this proof that OU is acheivable?
i fully expect to be shown that i am misunderstanding something, but who better to learn from than the minds here!
Loosecannon
Quote from: loosecannon on March 03, 2014, 02:10:42 AM
i mostly just sandbag here and try to learn, but I saw an article recently where scientists say that they got more energy out than they put in during a nuclear fusion experiment, and i could not find a reference to it here.
(of course searching the word fusion leads to a lot of results!)
here is a link:
http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9246307/Scientists_achieve_nuclear_fusion_with_giant_laser (http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9246307/Scientists_achieve_nuclear_fusion_with_giant_laser)
so, is this proof that OU is acheivable?
i fully expect to be shown that i am misunderstanding something, but who better to learn from than the minds here!
Loosecannon
Nuclear fusion is not OU in the sense that most would use the words in this forum. The source of energy in fusion is well understood in that matter is being converted to energy. Break even for fusion occurs when the amount of energy required to force hydrogen together such that it fuses, is equal to the amount of energy liberated by the decrease in mass. (Energy and mass are related by e = mc^2).
Most would only ascribe the words OU to a hypothetical process where the energy source is not understood but chemical or nuclear sources can be discounted.
Anybody has a giant laser to try this? :P
thank you for the reply and for the lesson.
looks like ive got some reading to do!
LC
It's actually a fantastic achievement and could eventually solve all of our energy problems. There is still a long way to go but it does mark a significant milestone in LASER fusion research. It could change everything.
MileHigh