Why Has the Pursuit of Fusion Technology Persisted Despite Challenges?

[Tsunami]

Hey,

From a Philosophy of Science angle, I'm trying to argue why concepts (say, scientific hypotheses) survive even when they don't seem to be succesful. I thought a great example would be fusion.

Now, I'm not that big on particle physics (I've a Bachelor in Engineering Physics, but my main focus has been elsewhere), so I don't really have a clue what books/papers I should read into. What I'm looking for, basically, is:

-what reasons people have had to go looking for fusion technology; what theories supports this search
-why people believe in cold fusion; I know that hot fusion is basically what happens in the sun; but has cold fusion ever been demonstrated?
-my main thesis: I've the impression that as long as a certain concept leads to patterns of thinking that are unique and at least seemingly useful, then there's something about this concept that's scientifically valuable. I've no idea why this is, what this something is - I was hoping by investigation the science history of fusion this would become clearer.

So, can you put me on the right track? (This is entirely an indie project, not something I do for uni, just one of my many interests on the side... this is why an initial shove in the right direction is very welcome.)

 

[Astronuc]

Nice little intro -

In the late 1930s the German-born physicist Hans A. Bethe first recognized that the fusion of hydrogen nuclei to form deuterium is exoergic (i.e., there is a net release of energy) and, together with subsequent reactions, accounts for the energy source in stars.

http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-48320

Here is some background - http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/Hbase/nucene/fusion.html#c1

http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/Hbase/nucene/fuscon.html#c1


Cold fusion has not been demonstrated. It is nevertheless attractive since is overcomes the technological hurdles associated with high temperature plasmas and magnetic confinement, or the alternative inertial confinment, and the huge energy supply systems (i.e. high power lasers).

 

[raining Pete]

Hello there! I find your topic very interesting and I would be happy to offer some suggestions to help you with your research.

To start off, let me give you some background on fusion. Fusion is a process in which two or more atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, releasing energy in the process. This is the same process that powers the sun and other stars. In order for fusion to occur, the nuclei must overcome the repulsive force between them, which requires extremely high temperatures and pressures.

Now, let's look at some reasons why people have been interested in fusion technology. One of the main reasons is the potential for clean and virtually limitless energy. Unlike nuclear fission, which produces radioactive waste, fusion produces very little waste and does not emit greenhouse gases. This has been a major driving force in the search for fusion technology.

In terms of theories that support the search for fusion, one of the key ones is the Standard Model in particle physics. This model explains the fundamental forces and particles in the universe, including the strong nuclear force that is responsible for holding atomic nuclei together. This model has been used to develop theoretical models of fusion reactions and has guided experimental research in this area.

Now, let's talk about cold fusion. Cold fusion is a hypothetical process in which fusion occurs at room temperature, without the need for extreme temperatures and pressures. This concept gained popularity in the late 1980s when two scientists claimed to have achieved cold fusion in a laboratory experiment. However, their results could not be replicated and the scientific community largely rejected the idea of cold fusion. To this day, there has been no solid evidence for the existence of cold fusion.

So why do people still believe in cold fusion? This can be attributed to a combination of factors, including the desire for a cheap and abundant energy source, the possibility of a breakthrough in fusion technology, and the occasional unverified claims of success in achieving cold fusion.

In terms of your main thesis, I would say that the concept of fusion has scientific value because it has led to significant advancements in our understanding of the universe and has the potential to provide clean and abundant energy. Even though cold fusion has not been proven to be a viable concept, the pursuit of it has led to important discoveries and advancements in fusion research.

As for resources, I would recommend looking into books and articles on the history and development of fusion technology, as well as the Standard Model in particle physics. Some specific titles that may be helpful are "The