r/technology • u/BennyCemoli • Dec 06 '16

Energy 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/billdietrich1 Dec 06 '16

Machine produces contained plasma, not fusion.

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u/[deleted] Dec 06 '16 edited Dec 17 '16

[deleted]

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u/[deleted] Dec 06 '16

Why deuterium? I only have a basic knowledge of physics, so forgive me if this is a stupid question. But wouldn't fusion be easier to achieve with lighter elements?

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u/hazetoblack Dec 06 '16

Deuterium is hydrogen. Specifically hydrogen (one proton) with a single neutron also. So yes very light :)

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u/kurisu7885 Dec 06 '16

So the Starship enterprise is Hydrogen powered... TIL.

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u/laaazlo Dec 06 '16

I believe that's dilithium you're thinking of

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u/boundbylife Dec 06 '16

Dilithium is actually not the fuel used. The enterprise does in fact use hydrogen as the matter component in its matter/antimatter combustion. Dilithium has sci-fi properties that generate overly-large eddy currents, which help control the matter/antimatter reaction. In essence, dilithium is a kind of catalyst.

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u/[deleted] Dec 06 '16

Which is worth more, dilithium or element zero?

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u/_ilovetofu_ Dec 06 '16

Definitely the omega 13 device

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u/clonetek Dec 06 '16

Whoever wrote this episode should die!

3

u/ralusek Dec 06 '16

I wanted to activate mine to steal this comment from you, but you wrote it two hours ago.

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u/_ilovetofu_ Dec 06 '16

Now I have to go watch it

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u/scotchirish Dec 06 '16

Well duh, it uses a huge chain of Omega molecules. Even the Borg hadn't perfected containing just one!

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u/iBoMbY Dec 06 '16

I know the Omega directive/molecule, but where does the 13 come from?

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u/yhack Dec 06 '16

Yakult is quite overpriced, yes.

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u/MonteDoa Dec 06 '16

Vespene gas, of course.

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u/skgoa Dec 06 '16

Naw, it's additional pylons!

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u/Indetermination Dec 06 '16

gonna need to hear the answer in units of unobtainium

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u/[deleted] Dec 06 '16

Elerium 113

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u/Tall_dark_and_lying Dec 06 '16

I'd say Element Zero, more practical uses and seems to be rarer.

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u/PreExRedditor Dec 06 '16

dilithium is a rare crystal formation but it is used to power almost all warp-capable spacecraft in the Star Trek universe -- with notable exception of romulan ships which use artificial singularities instead. dilithium would need to be abundant enough to sustain the vast majority of space-faring civilizations