• bitwolf@sh.itjust.works
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    5
    arrow-down
    1
    ·
    8 hours ago

    I watched a docu about one fusion startup in the US. They’re skipping the boiling water step and converting the energy directly to electricity.

    I dont remember the mechanics of how though. But they reportedly are the closest to net positive.

    • Mangoholic@lemmy.ml
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      5
      ·
      6 hours ago

      Helion energy. But i don’t think their approach has been verified yet. So take it with a grain of salt.

      • NotMyOldRedditName@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        1
        ·
        3 hours ago

        I didn’t know someone was trying a different approach like that, their animated graphics were really cool.

        Eventually someone has gotta figure this out, I just hope I’m alive to see it and the outcome of it.

      • Techlos@lemmy.dbzer0.com
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        2
        ·
        edit-2
        3 hours ago

        I’m old, fusion has been close for decades. Some reactors achieve unity but can’t sustain, some can sustain the plasma but don’t quite produce a net energy production, and all of them are limited by selection of materials compatible with the sheer radiation of the chamber.

        We’re frustratingly close, and progress has been made, but I get the feeling it’s one of those areas of science where a large breakthrough in either MHD theory or material science is needed to kick fusion from info NG research into practically possible.