▲ 1338 ▼ France runs fusion reactor for record 22 minutes (newatlas.com) submitted 2 years ago by misk@sopuli.xyz to c/technology@lemmy.world 246 comments fedilink hide all child comments
[–] notsoshaihulud@lemmy.world 214 points 2 years ago (20 children) A headline without calling it an "Artificial Sun"?! permalink fedilink source hideshow 20 child comments replies: [–] Toribor@corndog.social 76 points 2 years ago (2 children) The power of the sun in the palm of my hand. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] MalMen@masto.pt 16 points 2 years ago @Toribor @notsoshaihulud with great power comes great responsibility permalink fedilink source parent [–] Shardikprime@lemmy.world 11 points 2 years ago Don't worry, it will stabilize permalink fedilink source parent [–] cynar@lemmy.world 67 points 2 years ago (13 children) The amusing thing is that the sun is actually quite a shit fusion reactor. It's power per unit volume is tiny. It just makes it up in sheer volume. A solar level fusion reactor would be almost completely useless to us. Instead we need to go far beyond the sun's output to just be viable. It's like describing one of the mega mining dumper trucks as an "artificial mule". permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 13 child comments replies: [–] notsoshaihulud@lemmy.world 26 points 2 years ago (4 children) I think this energy density math really depends on whether only the core or the whole surface area is taken into consideration. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 4 child comments replies: [–] cynar@lemmy.world 21 points 2 years ago (3 children) Even the core only has an output of 200-300W/m^3. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 3 child comments replies: [–] logi@lemmy.world 14 points 2 years ago (2 children) That's about the energy output per volume of a 70 year old cyclist. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] DemBoSain@midwest.social 13 points 2 years ago (1 child) Right, for the Americans here that hate metric. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 1 child comment replies: [–] ThrowawayPermanente@sh.itjust.works 9 points 2 years ago Cyclist-years is a unit that has served us well for generations permalink fedilink source parent [–] lurklurk@lemmy.world 5 points 2 years ago (5 children) Arguably, the nearby sun scale fusion reactor has been fairly useful for us. Nowadays we can convert its output directly into electricity using solar cells permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 5 child comments replies: [–] cynar@lemmy.world 6 points 2 years ago (4 children) I never said it wasn't useful, just a very low efficiency reactor. Then again, if it was better, it would burn out faster, which would be bad for life on earth. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 4 child comments replies: [–] Womble@lemmy.world 5 points 2 years ago It produces about the same power per cubic metre as compost does, which is pretty crazy when you think about it. permalink fedilink source parent [–] _stranger_@lemmy.world 2 points 2 years ago (2 children) What I'm hearing is that we should mine the sun and make better use of all that fuel. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] WhiskyTangoFoxtrot@lemmy.world 6 points 2 years ago Just make sure you do it at night. permalink fedilink source parent [–] cynar@lemmy.world 1 point 2 years ago That's part of the reason a moon base could be viable. The sun outputs a reasonable amount of helium 3, which is great for fusion reactions. Unfortunately it tends to sit at the top of our atmosphere and get blown away again. On the moon, it gets captured by the dust in collectable quantities. permalink fedilink source parent [–] merc@sh.itjust.works 2 points 2 years ago Sure, but it makes up for that by having an idiot proof design. permalink fedilink source parent [–] DragonTypeWyvern@midwest.social 2 points 2 years ago Someone once told me a sun is just a fusion nuclear pile reactor and... Like... I guess. permalink fedilink source parent [–] yogurt@lemm.ee 25 points 2 years ago* They say "artificial sun" because that's what it is though, there's no fusion reactions here they're just microwaving hydrogen to millions of degrees to study the kind of thing that would happen IF somebody runs a fusion reactor for 22 minutes. permalink fedilink source parent [–] scratchee@feddit.uk 14 points 2 years ago (1 child) Or a “star in a bottle” permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 1 child comment replies: [–] SpicyLizards@reddthat.com 13 points 2 years ago A bulb in a bong permalink fedilink source parent
[–] Toribor@corndog.social 76 points 2 years ago (2 children) The power of the sun in the palm of my hand. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] MalMen@masto.pt 16 points 2 years ago @Toribor @notsoshaihulud with great power comes great responsibility permalink fedilink source parent [–] Shardikprime@lemmy.world 11 points 2 years ago Don't worry, it will stabilize permalink fedilink source parent
[–] MalMen@masto.pt 16 points 2 years ago @Toribor @notsoshaihulud with great power comes great responsibility permalink fedilink source parent
[–] Shardikprime@lemmy.world 11 points 2 years ago Don't worry, it will stabilize permalink fedilink source parent
[–] cynar@lemmy.world 67 points 2 years ago (13 children) The amusing thing is that the sun is actually quite a shit fusion reactor. It's power per unit volume is tiny. It just makes it up in sheer volume. A solar level fusion reactor would be almost completely useless to us. Instead we need to go far beyond the sun's output to just be viable. It's like describing one of the mega mining dumper trucks as an "artificial mule". permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 13 child comments replies: [–] notsoshaihulud@lemmy.world 26 points 2 years ago (4 children) I think this energy density math really depends on whether only the core or the whole surface area is taken into consideration. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 4 child comments replies: [–] cynar@lemmy.world 21 points 2 years ago (3 children) Even the core only has an output of 200-300W/m^3. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 3 child comments replies: [–] logi@lemmy.world 14 points 2 years ago (2 children) That's about the energy output per volume of a 70 year old cyclist. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] DemBoSain@midwest.social 13 points 2 years ago (1 child) Right, for the Americans here that hate metric. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 1 child comment replies: [–] ThrowawayPermanente@sh.itjust.works 9 points 2 years ago Cyclist-years is a unit that has served us well for generations permalink fedilink source parent [–] lurklurk@lemmy.world 5 points 2 years ago (5 children) Arguably, the nearby sun scale fusion reactor has been fairly useful for us. Nowadays we can convert its output directly into electricity using solar cells permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 5 child comments replies: [–] cynar@lemmy.world 6 points 2 years ago (4 children) I never said it wasn't useful, just a very low efficiency reactor. Then again, if it was better, it would burn out faster, which would be bad for life on earth. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 4 child comments replies: [–] Womble@lemmy.world 5 points 2 years ago It produces about the same power per cubic metre as compost does, which is pretty crazy when you think about it. permalink fedilink source parent [–] _stranger_@lemmy.world 2 points 2 years ago (2 children) What I'm hearing is that we should mine the sun and make better use of all that fuel. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] WhiskyTangoFoxtrot@lemmy.world 6 points 2 years ago Just make sure you do it at night. permalink fedilink source parent [–] cynar@lemmy.world 1 point 2 years ago That's part of the reason a moon base could be viable. The sun outputs a reasonable amount of helium 3, which is great for fusion reactions. Unfortunately it tends to sit at the top of our atmosphere and get blown away again. On the moon, it gets captured by the dust in collectable quantities. permalink fedilink source parent [–] merc@sh.itjust.works 2 points 2 years ago Sure, but it makes up for that by having an idiot proof design. permalink fedilink source parent [–] DragonTypeWyvern@midwest.social 2 points 2 years ago Someone once told me a sun is just a fusion nuclear pile reactor and... Like... I guess. permalink fedilink source parent
[–] notsoshaihulud@lemmy.world 26 points 2 years ago (4 children) I think this energy density math really depends on whether only the core or the whole surface area is taken into consideration. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 4 child comments replies: [–] cynar@lemmy.world 21 points 2 years ago (3 children) Even the core only has an output of 200-300W/m^3. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 3 child comments replies: [–] logi@lemmy.world 14 points 2 years ago (2 children) That's about the energy output per volume of a 70 year old cyclist. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] DemBoSain@midwest.social 13 points 2 years ago (1 child) Right, for the Americans here that hate metric. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 1 child comment replies: [–] ThrowawayPermanente@sh.itjust.works 9 points 2 years ago Cyclist-years is a unit that has served us well for generations permalink fedilink source parent
[–] cynar@lemmy.world 21 points 2 years ago (3 children) Even the core only has an output of 200-300W/m^3. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 3 child comments replies: [–] logi@lemmy.world 14 points 2 years ago (2 children) That's about the energy output per volume of a 70 year old cyclist. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] DemBoSain@midwest.social 13 points 2 years ago (1 child) Right, for the Americans here that hate metric. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 1 child comment replies: [–] ThrowawayPermanente@sh.itjust.works 9 points 2 years ago Cyclist-years is a unit that has served us well for generations permalink fedilink source parent
[–] logi@lemmy.world 14 points 2 years ago (2 children) That's about the energy output per volume of a 70 year old cyclist. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] DemBoSain@midwest.social 13 points 2 years ago (1 child) Right, for the Americans here that hate metric. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 1 child comment replies: [–] ThrowawayPermanente@sh.itjust.works 9 points 2 years ago Cyclist-years is a unit that has served us well for generations permalink fedilink source parent
[–] DemBoSain@midwest.social 13 points 2 years ago (1 child) Right, for the Americans here that hate metric. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 1 child comment replies: [–] ThrowawayPermanente@sh.itjust.works 9 points 2 years ago Cyclist-years is a unit that has served us well for generations permalink fedilink source parent
[–] ThrowawayPermanente@sh.itjust.works 9 points 2 years ago Cyclist-years is a unit that has served us well for generations permalink fedilink source parent
[–] lurklurk@lemmy.world 5 points 2 years ago (5 children) Arguably, the nearby sun scale fusion reactor has been fairly useful for us. Nowadays we can convert its output directly into electricity using solar cells permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 5 child comments replies: [–] cynar@lemmy.world 6 points 2 years ago (4 children) I never said it wasn't useful, just a very low efficiency reactor. Then again, if it was better, it would burn out faster, which would be bad for life on earth. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 4 child comments replies: [–] Womble@lemmy.world 5 points 2 years ago It produces about the same power per cubic metre as compost does, which is pretty crazy when you think about it. permalink fedilink source parent [–] _stranger_@lemmy.world 2 points 2 years ago (2 children) What I'm hearing is that we should mine the sun and make better use of all that fuel. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] WhiskyTangoFoxtrot@lemmy.world 6 points 2 years ago Just make sure you do it at night. permalink fedilink source parent [–] cynar@lemmy.world 1 point 2 years ago That's part of the reason a moon base could be viable. The sun outputs a reasonable amount of helium 3, which is great for fusion reactions. Unfortunately it tends to sit at the top of our atmosphere and get blown away again. On the moon, it gets captured by the dust in collectable quantities. permalink fedilink source parent
[–] cynar@lemmy.world 6 points 2 years ago (4 children) I never said it wasn't useful, just a very low efficiency reactor. Then again, if it was better, it would burn out faster, which would be bad for life on earth. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 4 child comments replies: [–] Womble@lemmy.world 5 points 2 years ago It produces about the same power per cubic metre as compost does, which is pretty crazy when you think about it. permalink fedilink source parent [–] _stranger_@lemmy.world 2 points 2 years ago (2 children) What I'm hearing is that we should mine the sun and make better use of all that fuel. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] WhiskyTangoFoxtrot@lemmy.world 6 points 2 years ago Just make sure you do it at night. permalink fedilink source parent [–] cynar@lemmy.world 1 point 2 years ago That's part of the reason a moon base could be viable. The sun outputs a reasonable amount of helium 3, which is great for fusion reactions. Unfortunately it tends to sit at the top of our atmosphere and get blown away again. On the moon, it gets captured by the dust in collectable quantities. permalink fedilink source parent
[–] Womble@lemmy.world 5 points 2 years ago It produces about the same power per cubic metre as compost does, which is pretty crazy when you think about it. permalink fedilink source parent
[–] _stranger_@lemmy.world 2 points 2 years ago (2 children) What I'm hearing is that we should mine the sun and make better use of all that fuel. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] WhiskyTangoFoxtrot@lemmy.world 6 points 2 years ago Just make sure you do it at night. permalink fedilink source parent [–] cynar@lemmy.world 1 point 2 years ago That's part of the reason a moon base could be viable. The sun outputs a reasonable amount of helium 3, which is great for fusion reactions. Unfortunately it tends to sit at the top of our atmosphere and get blown away again. On the moon, it gets captured by the dust in collectable quantities. permalink fedilink source parent
[–] WhiskyTangoFoxtrot@lemmy.world 6 points 2 years ago Just make sure you do it at night. permalink fedilink source parent
[–] cynar@lemmy.world 1 point 2 years ago That's part of the reason a moon base could be viable. The sun outputs a reasonable amount of helium 3, which is great for fusion reactions. Unfortunately it tends to sit at the top of our atmosphere and get blown away again. On the moon, it gets captured by the dust in collectable quantities. permalink fedilink source parent
[–] merc@sh.itjust.works 2 points 2 years ago Sure, but it makes up for that by having an idiot proof design. permalink fedilink source parent
[–] DragonTypeWyvern@midwest.social 2 points 2 years ago Someone once told me a sun is just a fusion nuclear pile reactor and... Like... I guess. permalink fedilink source parent
[–] yogurt@lemm.ee 25 points 2 years ago* They say "artificial sun" because that's what it is though, there's no fusion reactions here they're just microwaving hydrogen to millions of degrees to study the kind of thing that would happen IF somebody runs a fusion reactor for 22 minutes. permalink fedilink source parent
[–] scratchee@feddit.uk 14 points 2 years ago (1 child) Or a “star in a bottle” permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 1 child comment replies: [–] SpicyLizards@reddthat.com 13 points 2 years ago A bulb in a bong permalink fedilink source parent
[–] SpicyLizards@reddthat.com 13 points 2 years ago A bulb in a bong permalink fedilink source parent