Lockheed says makes breakthrough on Fusion Energy project

originally posted by: Gallus
One problem I see with this being made commercially, are the energy companies who overnight would be made totally redundant. Do you think our glorious leaders will allow that?

Thats not a problem thats a solution. . . .

originally posted by: Quetzalcoatl14

originally posted by: Nicorette

WASHINGTON (Reuters): Lockheed Martin Corp said on Wednesday it had made a technological breakthrough in developing a power source based on nuclear fusion, and the first reactors, small enough to fit on the back of a truck, could be ready for use in a decade.



Tom McGuire, who heads the project, said he and a small team had been working on fusion energy at Lockheed's secretive Skunk Works for about four years, but were now going public to find potential partners in industry and government for their work.

Lockheed says makes breakthrough on Fusion Energy project



If this pans out, this could be HUGE news, a literal game changer for humanity. Nuclear fission is dirty, dangerous and cumbersome. Nuclear fusion could solve our numerous energy problems, lift the world out of poverty, and open the way to reasonable space travel.



This is not some crank with a free energy device. This is coming from Lockheed Martin's Skunk Works, reported by multiple credible mainstream media sources.



This Aviation Week exclusive goes into much, much greater technical detail and talks to the scientists.

Hidden away in the secret depths of the Skunk Works, a Lockheed Martin research team has been working quietly on a nuclear energy concept they believe has the potential to meet, if not eventually decrease, the world’s insatiable demand for power.

Thomas McGuire, principal investigator of the Skunk Works nuclear fusion experiment dubbed T4, with the project’s stainless steel containment vessel that is roughly the size of a business-jet engine.

At Lockheed Martin Skunk Works®, we’re making advancements in the development of fusion energy, the ultimate form of renewable power. Our scientists and engineers are looking at the biggest natural fusion reactor for inspiration – the sun. By containing the power of the sun in a small magnetic bottle, we are on the fast track to developing compact fusion reactors to serve the world’s ever-growing energy needs. Watch the video to discover more.





This is the best news I have heard in a long time.

Amazing. And if scalable in the near future, a game changer.



However, just as the energy giants have been fighting non-fossil fuel forms of energy for decades, why would the vested interests that are imbedded with the government want to quickly adopt such tech? It would mean a loss for many of these massive corporations.

Just think this could be the next big thing, they may start mass producing them, have one in every home, car, plane, etc. . .

And, of course, as we transition from a oil/gas society to a post-petro economy, and start making all the lube and chemical stock from CO2 and old landfill, the economic energy will be depleted from the Middle East, and the sons of the Prophet will return to the simple life as their political power declines to zero.

That alone would be worth the development.

originally posted by: Bedlam
And, of course, as we transition from a oil/gas society to a post-petro economy, and start making all the lube and chemical stock from CO2 and old landfill, the economic energy will be depleted from the Middle East, and the sons of the Prophet will return to the simple life as their political power declines to zero.



That alone would be worth the development.

Its gotta happen sooner of later, I hope sooner, however I ont expect too much that way I wont be dissapointed if it happens later.

So can anyone think of the any ways this might benifit our civilization?

a reply to: FormOfTheLord

So can anyone think of the any ways this might benifit our civilization?

That's sort of what the thread is about. Try reading it.

originally posted by: Phage
a reply to: FormOfTheLord

So can anyone think of the any ways this might benifit our civilization?

That's sort of what the thread is about. Try reading it.

Duh dude what are you going on about? You try reading it and then say something smart and educated that may benifit our civilization.

a reply to: FormOfTheLord

So can anyone think of the any ways this might benifit our civilization?

The thread is full of what you asked for. You want everyone to repeat it for you?

originally posted by: Phage
a reply to: FormOfTheLord

So can anyone think of the any ways this might benifit our civilization?

The thread is full of what you asked for. You want everyone to repeat it for you?

No why on earth would you think something so silly? New ideas can be thought of ya know you should try it some time.

a reply to: FormOfTheLord
Nah.
I'd rather watch youtube.

originally posted by: Phage
a reply to: FormOfTheLord

Nah.

I'd rather watch youtube.

Ok dude if thats what does it for you, follow your bliss.

i wonder if they are in touch with the Lockheed fusion scientists, is thier model different?



Secretive fusion energy company makes steady-state breakthrough

I wonder if this technology is possible at the nano level to create small reactors to power the world around us.

I imagine with one of these you could power a flying house.

So the big question is could this technology aid humanity in ascending into space?

I would like to see some nanotech applications of modern day reactors, what works for large expiriments should be able to be duplicated with small expiriments.

originally posted by: FormOfTheLord
I would like to see some nanotech applications of modern day reactors, what works for large expiriments should be able to be duplicated with small expiriments.

Here you go FormOfTheLord,

Fusion energy may soon be used in small-scale power stations. This means producing environmentally friendly heating and electricity at a low cost from fuel found in water. Both heating generators and generators for electricity could be developed within a few years, according to research that has primarily been conducted at the University of Gothenburg.


Nuclear fusion is a process whereby atomic nuclei melt together and release energy. Because of the low binding energy of the tiny atomic nuclei, energy can be released by combining two small nuclei with a heavier one. A collaboration between researchers at the University of Gothenburg and the University of Iceland has been to study a new type of nuclear fusion process. This produces almost no neutrons but instead fast, heavy electrons (muons), since it is based on nuclear reactions in ultra-dense heavy hydrogen (deuterium).

"This is a considerable advantage compared to other nuclear fusion processes which are under development at other research facilities, since the neutrons produced by such processes can cause dangerous flash burns," says Leif Holmlid, Professor Emeritus at the University of Gothenburg.

No radiation The new fusion process can take place in relatively small laser-fired fusion reactors fueled by heavy hydrogen (deuterium). It has already been shown to produce more energy than that needed to start it. Heavy hydrogen is found in large quantities in ordinary water and is easy to extract. The dangerous handling of radioactive heavy hydrogen (tritium) which would most likely be needed for operating large-scale fusion reactors with a magnetic enclosure in the future is therefore unnecessary.

" A considerable advantage of the fast heavy electrons produced by the new process is that these are charged and can therefore produce electrical energy instantly. The energy in the neutrons which accumulate in large quantities in other types of nuclear fusion is difficult to handle because the neutrons are not charged. These neutrons are high-energy and very damaging to living organisms, whereas the fast, heavy electrons are considerably less dangerous."

Neutrons are difficult to slow down or stop and require reactor enclosures that are several meters thick. Muons -- fast, heavy electrons -- decay very quickly into ordinary electrons and similar particles.

Research shows that far smaller and simpler fusion reactors can be built. The next step is to create a generator that produces instant electrical energy.

The research done in this area has been supported by GU Ventures AB, the holding company linked to the University of Gothenburg. The results have recently been published in three international scientific journals.

Not nanotech but a step in the right direction.

www.sciencedaily.com...

I want one.

originally posted by: punkinworks10

originally posted by: FormOfTheLord
I would like to see some nanotech applications of modern day reactors, what works for large expiriments should be able to be duplicated with small expiriments.

Here you go FormOfTheLord,

Fusion energy may soon be used in small-scale power stations. This means producing environmentally friendly heating and electricity at a low cost from fuel found in water. Both heating generators and generators for electricity could be developed within a few years, according to research that has primarily been conducted at the University of Gothenburg.


Nuclear fusion is a process whereby atomic nuclei melt together and release energy. Because of the low binding energy of the tiny atomic nuclei, energy can be released by combining two small nuclei with a heavier one. A collaboration between researchers at the University of Gothenburg and the University of Iceland has been to study a new type of nuclear fusion process. This produces almost no neutrons but instead fast, heavy electrons (muons), since it is based on nuclear reactions in ultra-dense heavy hydrogen (deuterium).

"This is a considerable advantage compared to other nuclear fusion processes which are under development at other research facilities, since the neutrons produced by such processes can cause dangerous flash burns," says Leif Holmlid, Professor Emeritus at the University of Gothenburg.

No radiation The new fusion process can take place in relatively small laser-fired fusion reactors fueled by heavy hydrogen (deuterium). It has already been shown to produce more energy than that needed to start it. Heavy hydrogen is found in large quantities in ordinary water and is easy to extract. The dangerous handling of radioactive heavy hydrogen (tritium) which would most likely be needed for operating large-scale fusion reactors with a magnetic enclosure in the future is therefore unnecessary.

" A considerable advantage of the fast heavy electrons produced by the new process is that these are charged and can therefore produce electrical energy instantly. The energy in the neutrons which accumulate in large quantities in other types of nuclear fusion is difficult to handle because the neutrons are not charged. These neutrons are high-energy and very damaging to living organisms, whereas the fast, heavy electrons are considerably less dangerous."

Neutrons are difficult to slow down or stop and require reactor enclosures that are several meters thick. Muons -- fast, heavy electrons -- decay very quickly into ordinary electrons and similar particles.

Research shows that far smaller and simpler fusion reactors can be built. The next step is to create a generator that produces instant electrical energy.

The research done in this area has been supported by GU Ventures AB, the holding company linked to the University of Gothenburg. The results have recently been published in three international scientific journals.

Not nanotech but a step in the right direction.

www.sciencedaily.com...

Thats good news more like this please and we will soon be oil free!

I am thinking they could make fusion flying devices that never have to land with this technology.