.CHINA TESTS FUSION REACTOR
Chinese scientists say they have completed the first test of an experimental thermonuclear fusion reactor, which replicates the way the sun produces energy.
State news agency Xinhua reported the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) fusion device successfully passed an initial test at the Institute of Plasma Physics in Hefei, capital city of China's eastern Anhui Province.
Thermonuclear fusion seeks to generate power by joining nuclei of atoms together, releasing energy that can be tapped without producing greenhouse gases but creating a small amount of nuclear waste.
Chinese scientists say the device is the first of its kind in the world, and that the reactor could produce an endless supply of cheap and clean energy, according to Xinhua.
The report did not specify whether the test had succeeded in producing more energy than it consumed — the main obstacle to making fusion commercially viable.
China's economic boom has prompted a scramble for more energy resources - the nation is the world's number two oil consumer.
The leader of the fusion experiment said there was at least a decade of work remaining on the project.
"In recent days, the electric current we got from plasma surpassed twenty 200 kilo-Ampere. And it lasted for over three seconds. We don't care what exactly the data is.
“What we care about is that we can prove that we can get plasma from EAST. And we will now begin the following research which will last for 10 to 20 years," said Wan Yuanxi.
Other governments are also pursuing fusion research, which scientists say could potentially produce almost unlimited clean energy from readily available resources such as seawater.
The International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) under the direction of a seven-nation consortium in Cadarache, southern France, is due to be completed in 2015.
The 500 megawatt experimental reactor will seek to turn seawater into fuel using fusion technology.
SBS
This just screams, "Take your oil and shove it".
I hope the Chinese succeed in developing this American technology, I know that in this country, and under the current administration it's never going to happen. Maybe we will be able to license the technology back from China once it works.
State news agency Xinhua reported the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) fusion device successfully passed an initial test at the Institute of Plasma Physics in Hefei, capital city of China's eastern Anhui Province.
Thermonuclear fusion seeks to generate power by joining nuclei of atoms together, releasing energy that can be tapped without producing greenhouse gases but creating a small amount of nuclear waste.
Chinese scientists say the device is the first of its kind in the world, and that the reactor could produce an endless supply of cheap and clean energy, according to Xinhua.
The report did not specify whether the test had succeeded in producing more energy than it consumed — the main obstacle to making fusion commercially viable.
China's economic boom has prompted a scramble for more energy resources - the nation is the world's number two oil consumer.
The leader of the fusion experiment said there was at least a decade of work remaining on the project.
"In recent days, the electric current we got from plasma surpassed twenty 200 kilo-Ampere. And it lasted for over three seconds. We don't care what exactly the data is.
“What we care about is that we can prove that we can get plasma from EAST. And we will now begin the following research which will last for 10 to 20 years," said Wan Yuanxi.
Other governments are also pursuing fusion research, which scientists say could potentially produce almost unlimited clean energy from readily available resources such as seawater.
The International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) under the direction of a seven-nation consortium in Cadarache, southern France, is due to be completed in 2015.
The 500 megawatt experimental reactor will seek to turn seawater into fuel using fusion technology.
SBS
This just screams, "Take your oil and shove it".
I hope the Chinese succeed in developing this American technology, I know that in this country, and under the current administration it's never going to happen. Maybe we will be able to license the technology back from China once it works.
posted by madtom at 9:43 PM
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