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ORIGINAL: RadiologistX
ORIGINAL: OculusPyramidis
Actually, there is much active research in the area of fusion power. We probably will have economical fusion plants within about 20 years. They will be expensive to build, and so the cost per kilowatt will not be much lower than current prices despite the very low deuterium fuel prices. However, the environmental cost will be much less from this form of power.
As for a miniature fusion power source, I haven’t heard of any promising technology in that area. I don’t think that will happen in our lifetimes.
That’s right – we can’t make it work now. Dr. S’s point was that we should do everything to accelerate the progress. Re: “I haven’t heard of any promising technology in that area. I don’t think that will happen in our lifetimes.”: without trying, it won’t happen. I have a computer in my pocket that is more powerful than the one that occupied a full floor of the engineering building when I was in college. In technology, I think you can rely on the fact that there will be unexpected advances whenever you work on the problem intensely.
The promise of fusion is so great we can’t afford not to move on it.
I agree. It doesn’t hurt to pursue basic research that one day may lead to practical miniatiurized fusion power, or other equally amazing technologies.
And it is true that as far as fusion plants are concerned, it is more a matter of working out a number of details than having the basic concepts worked out.
As for miniaturized fusion power (or miniaturized fission power for that matter), there is as yet not even a basic plan as to how it might be done.
Not that there will never be. Not that we shouldn’t try. Not that the government shouldn’t provide funding.
