LogFAQs > #882638664

Miroku_of_Nite1 posted...

Sephiroth C Ryu posted...

It is all but certain that we will have them within the next decade or two.

We've been saying that since at least the 70s.

No. People who either believe in "Cold Fusion" or who simply don't understand what we are actually accomplishing in the field have been saying that since the 70s. Well, them, and maybe the occasional few hopefuls who were hopeful that some unusual technology based on something like rapidly imploding bubbles discovered in lobster claws would provide a useful loophole to get around the whole containment problem.

But we have several ongoing, fully legitimate fusion projects now that are expected to be power-positive. The furthest off is ITER, which is basically the biggest takomak (sp?) type reactor yet and one which the calculations indicate will produce net positive power (previous ones were built pretty much just to research fusion and learn enough to actually build an actual power plant). It will probably be fully constructed and then fully operational... surprisingly close to Sim City 2000's prediction for when we will have fusion power. I don't think it will be U-shaped though.

Some other designs are set to have smaller fusion reactors available sooner. Lockheed Martin of all companies is actually working on one themselves. Being Lockheed, they have been somewhat stingy on what data they actually give out, but are up to their 4th prototype which may be pretty close to the break-even point.
.
---

I am the Hunter of Topics. My post never fails to kill its prey.
*pounces* Nyaa!