Abstract Details
HEDP and New Directions for Fusion Energy
Author: Ronald C. Kirkpatrick
Requested Type: Poster Only
Submitted: 2009-05-11 16:43:15
Co-authors:
Contact Info:
Los Alamos National Laboratory
(none)
Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545
USA
Abstract Text:
The quest for fusion energy has a long history, and the earliest demonstration of thermonuclear fusion certainly involved the highest energy density ever achieved up to that time. While that demonstration was in response to the extreme fears of mankind, it also marked the beginning of a great hope that it would usher in an era of boundless cheap energy. In fact fusion still promises to be an enabling technology that can be compared to the prehistoric utilization of fire. Why has fusion energy been so long on promises and so short in fulfillment ?
In this paper I hope to briefly review past approaches to fusion energy, impart some wisdom, and suggest new directions. Only by putting aside the burdensome baggage of our old thinking and putting our well-honed tools (both experimental and theoretical) to good use can we make rapid progress toward satisfying an urgent need. Fusion not only holds the key to abundant green energy, but also promises to enable deep space missions and creation of rare elements and isotopes for wide-ranging industrial applications and medical diagnostics. [LA-UR 09-02364]
Comments:
I had preferred a talk, but it appears that all the spaces are filled up, so I'll settle for a poster. I just noticed that the submission form doesn't like spaces after the zip or e-mail address.