Has controlled nuclear fusion been achieved?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on whether controlled nuclear fusion has been achieved and the potential for its realization in the foreseeable future. Participants explore definitions of "controlled" fusion, the current state of fusion research, and the implications of energy and monetary break-even points.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that controlled nuclear fusion has not been achieved, while others claim that it has been realized to some extent, particularly in terms of creating plasma that can be contained.
  • One participant distinguishes between energy break-even, which has been accomplished, and monetary break-even, which remains elusive.
  • Another participant proposes that a practical definition of "controlled" fusion would involve sustainability and usability for power generation, suggesting that this has not yet been achieved but may occur within the next 40 to 50 years.
  • A participant questions the claim of energy break-even, referencing specific yields from the Princeton Plasma Physics Lab that suggest it has not been reached.
  • Another participant mentions an experiment in Oxford involving a tokomak that reportedly achieved a sustainable reaction, although they note that financial constraints halted further progress.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the achievement of controlled nuclear fusion, with no consensus reached on whether it has been realized or the definitions of "controlled" and "break-even." Multiple competing perspectives remain in the discussion.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations regarding the definitions of "controlled" and "break-even," as well as the specific achievements reported by different research institutions, which may not be universally recognized or agreed upon.

anand
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Has controlled nuclear fusion been achieved?If not,is it a possibility in the foreseeable future?
 
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No. Yes.
 
Sure it has, unless there is an industry specific use of the word "controlled" that I don't know. Fusion has been used to create a plasma that has been contained. Energy "break-even" has been accomplished, but monetary "break-even" is far off.

Energy break-even - generate as much energy as needed to statr the fusion
Monetary break-even - generate enough surplus energy to pay for the process

Njorl
 
You're absolutely right. I was over hasty. My apologies.
 
I think the most practical definition of "controlled" would probably be "sustainable and useable". By this meaning, controlled fusion (fusion that could be used to power and electrical plant) has not been achieved. However, it likely will be within the next 40 to 50 years.

Njorl, are you sure that energy breakeven has been achieved? I keep an eye on the doings at the Princeton Plasma Physics Lab, but the last I heard they had only achieved a 10.6 MW yield in a process that consumed something over 30 MW to generate. If they have achieved breakeven already, that would be very encouraging news.
 
i have heard that scientists in oxford england using a tokomat achieved
a sustainable reaction ,only cost stopped the experiment.
i can not find anything on the net about it sorry.
 

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