Comments on: Nuclear Fusion Takes a Step Forward

By: JWM

JWM — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 23:14:00 +0000

I am not sure of deuterium, but there are extreme health concerns with tritium gas and it must be handle very carefully with correct protective personal equipment. Wouldn’t it be great if we could just use a plentiful element already available in abundance without person harm.

By: Johnny D

Johnny D — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 22:46:00 +0000

Fusion bombs have been around for a while. There would be no purpose for a reactor with less output than input.

By: Lisa Wardle

Lisa Wardle — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 22:11:00 +0000

Are you speaking about JT-60′s deuterium plasma experiments in 1998? The facility produced results that would have equated to passing the breakeven–if a deuterium-tritium fuel had been used. Unfortunately, the facility was not equipped to handle tritium and thus did not actually achieve that goal.
Also, many technological improvements come through military research. Sandia Labs does work on both military projects and advancement of energy programs.

By: Steve

Steve — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 21:03:00 +0000

Interesting since the predecessor to the Iter in cadarache France surpassed the break even point in the mid to late 90′s. This sounds like the fusion experiment that the US government has been doing for military only purposes. Not meant to produce efficient power. Very misleading article