Can Compact Fusion Reactors Power Small Cities?

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Lockheed Martin's compact fusion project aims to replicate the sun's nuclear fusion process within a small, truck-sized reactor, potentially powering up to 100,000 people. The approach leverages over 60 years of fusion research, utilizing a high beta concept that allows for a significantly smaller reactor design. However, skepticism exists regarding the feasibility and timeline of achieving a working prototype, with critics pointing out that fusion technology has consistently been projected to be "just 10 to 20 years away" for decades. Concerns are raised about the lack of published results and the project's transparency, especially following claims of promising preliminary findings without an operational reactor. Overall, while the Lockheed initiative represents an innovative approach to fusion energy, doubts remain about its practicality and the broader implications for the future of fusion research.
  • #31
russ_watters said:
Frankly, this sounds like meaningless corporate-speak to me. You cannot schedule discovery/invention and you cannot design the post-discovery commercial development process until you know what you are developing.

I disagree with every one of those statements.
Do you think publishing something means it's true and not publishing means it isn't? Consensus science doesn't prove one is on the right track.
 
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  • #32
bob012345 said:
Do you think publishing something means it's true and not publishing means it isn't?
No, but that is not what you said before.

What is true is that published material is more likely to be true than unpublished material because of peer review and follow-up responses. Conversely, when not true, it is more likely to be known to be not true.
Consensus science doesn't prove one is on the right track.
No, it just makes it much more likely.

[edit] And when it comes to fusion it is extra important to follow a rigorous and open academic process due to the subject's history of failed promises and fraud.
 
  • #33
This thread offers opinions about many things but there is little engineering. If the OP wishes to pursue this topic, then he should open a new thread with a more specific engineering question.

Thread closed.
 

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