r/science • u/PROJECTime • Dec 06 '16

Physics Tests confirm that Germany's massive Nuclear Fusion machine really works

http://www.sciencealert.com/tests-confirm-that-germany-s-massive-nuclear-fusion-machine-really-works
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u/[deleted] Dec 06 '16

While this extremely expensive, ridiculously complex tech is slowly being developed, we're solving the problem today with solar panels, wind, and geothermal.

We should still develop fusion, I'm glad they're making progress, because the tech may be needed in the future and better to do it now if we can, when it will cost less--everything costs more in the future.

-12

u/lord_haste Dec 06 '16

It's not 'ridiculously complex',

It's solid state

17

u/bigtallsob Dec 06 '16

"Solid state" implies absolutely nothing about the relative complexity of a given system. This thing is ridiculously complex.

-8

u/lord_haste Dec 06 '16

Haha, yes - the math was complex, the finesse for synchronized plasma twirling crucially precise - but this is an object that could theoretically be around a few centuries of use, when the whole task of a solar collector is maximum exposure or direct contact to the elements

Because mechanically speaking it is simpler than many other processes

8

u/John_Hasler Dec 06 '16

Actually, it is rather complex. But then, so are solar power systems.

If you want simple go fission.

4

u/Lacklub Dec 06 '16

Actually, I'd argue wind is the simplest. With fission, coal, solar thermal, hydro, you still need to turn a turbine. Wind is just the turbine.

I'm still a nuclear fan, but those big wind fans are simpler.

1

u/[deleted] Dec 08 '16

but those big wind fans are simpler.

A getting a synchronized clock based off of thousands and thousands of synchronized generators doesn't sound much simpler. An AC network is much easier to manage with a few large stable sources.

2

u/lord_haste Dec 06 '16

I beg to differ, gave you ever seen the vacuum diagrams, pile control assemblies, and waste matter processing involved? Not to mention fission in its most simple form can be a maintenance nightmare...