Former fusion scientist on why we won't have fusion power by 2040

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Improbable Matter
Published at : 11 Nov 2021
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I refute some very optimistic claims about fusion power and discuss some of the challenges in making this long-sought after technology a reality.

Contents:
00:00 - Introduction
00:37 - Logistics
01:08 - Physics challenges
10:48 - Neutrons
14:18 - Good news
15:25 - Wrap-up

References
[1] https://www.powermag.com/fusion-energy-is-coming-and-maybe-sooner-than-you-think/
[2] https://ccfe.ukaea.uk/research/step/
[3] https://www.tokamakenergy.co.uk/
Version from 21 April 2021 at:
[4] https://web.archive.org/web/20210421143503/https://www.tokamakenergy.co.uk/
[5] https://techcrunch.com/2021/04/08/claiming-a-landmark-in-fusion-energy-tae-technologies-sees-commercialization-by-2030
[6] https://firstlightfusion.com/media-archive/first-light-fusion-welcomes-government-investment-step/
[7] https://www.universetoday.com/115411/fusion-energy-always-50-years-away-now-just-5-according-to-lockheed-martin/
[8] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlYClniDFkM
[9] Frankfurt Airport Timelapse by TheBlueMaxxx
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Timelapse_Frankfurt_Airport.webm
[10] Welcome to Planet ITER: a technical tour of the worksite by iterorganization
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvsj0nqHwic
[11] Periodic Table by László Németh
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Periodic_table_simple_en.svg
[12] Sun SparcStation 10 with 20" CRT by Thomas Kaiser
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sun_SparcStation_10_with_CRT.jpg
[13] Устройство осциллографической ЭЛТ by Д.Ильин
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Устройство_осциллографической_ЭЛТ.svg
[14] Taylor Wilson’s Nuke Site https://www.sciradioactive.com/fusiongallery
[15] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taylor_Wilson
[16] https://science.nasa.gov/ems/13_radiationbudget
[17] Red Apple by Abhijit Tembhekar
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Red_Apple.jpg
[18] ITER Cryopump https://www.iter.org/newsline/-/2721
[19] https://tae.com/2020/01/06/the-future-looks-bright/
[20] https://www.tokamakenergy.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Tokamak-Energy-Leaflet.pdf
[21] J. Jacquinot and the JET team “Deuterium-tritium operation in magnetic confinement experiments: results and underlying physics”, Plasma Phys. Control. Fusion 41, A13 (1999).
[22] https://lasers.llnl.gov/news/nif-experiment-puts-researchers-threshold-fusion-ignition
[23] https://lasers.llnl.gov/about/faqs
[24] J. E. Menard et al. “Fusion nuclear science facilities and pilot plants based on the spherical tokamak”, Nuclear Fusion 56, 106023 (2016).
[25] 2016 NSTX-U is operational by PPPL Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory
https://www.flickr.com/photos/pppl/25448143876/in/album-72157651983615272/
[26] Commonwealth Fusion Systems website
https://cfs.energy/technology

fusionfusion powerenergy

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