Fusioneer
Posted in: Science
For three years Dr Jonathan Howard has dedicated himself to finding a solution to our energy crisis. In the spare room of his South London flat he’s constructed a fusion reactor from bits of recycled scrap, and parts bought from ebay.
Scientists say that ‘Fusion is like trying to put the Sun in a box – but we don’t know how to make the box’.
Can Jonathan put the Sun in a box without getting burnt?
Directed by: Kai Clear
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October 25, 2011 at 3:34 am | WetWilly
The reason he started is solid. He has a trial and error approach which makes this video interesting.
Not just another wack-job trying to make a name for himself.
I’d say it was well worth the time to watch.
October 25, 2011 at 8:00 am | PeSO
simillar link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4w_dzSvVaM
http://focusfusion.org/
I think bets here are extremly high here. I would say chances of this working are less than 1%
but concidering a reward – bringing whole civilization on next level (like steam engine, or internal combustion engines did), not to mention potentialy saving us from ecological disaster.
it is a no brainer – we should go for it.
Much more serious approach is thorium reactor. China started building one. Way to go!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9M__yYbsZ4
October 25, 2011 at 9:52 am | NAND Gate
Fusion in stars is a process isolated in space – this means it cannot “destroy” its container (because it has none). It is powered by the accretion of unimaginable quantities of matter, and gravitation forces the centre of the sphere of matter to begin fusing.
As to getting it to work in your bedroom? Well – I doubt you can. It is a phenomenon of stars, and stars only. You would have to create your own universe big enough to support the fusion reaction in space without destroying your “container”. And somehow, you have to apply enough energy to equate to trillions and trillions of tons of matter. There are definitely more promising alternatives out there than trying to mimic stars.
October 26, 2011 at 10:19 am | PeSO
The fact that you need a whole star to achieve fusion is no argument it is not going to work. As a matter of fact, fusion has already been achieved (by ITER, focus fusion…)
The problem is that energy yield is far less, that waht we put in. It is a matter of efficiency, not a matter if it is going to work or no. And I agree, we might never solve efficiency problem.
As far as what we are able to do: CERN has created conditions close to big bang, which is on order of million times hotter than center of the sun. Well, this is purely scientific, nothing to do with producing electricity…
No option should remain unexplored, just because we feel it is not going to work!
Science is a cruel mistress, it does not care for our feelings – it either works or doesn’t.
October 26, 2011 at 9:15 pm | Car350z
I think the main reason why we are still buring fossil fuels is the lack of political will to really push ahead with nuclear fusion. It really is a shame because it would indeed solve all our energy problems and push is towards a Type1 civilization.
October 27, 2011 at 1:29 am | Minas
Jonathan,
Go ahead , we need more people like you !