McGuire aims to generate the extreme magnetic fields necessary for plasma confinement with superconductors. Currently, the highest temperature at which we've observed superconductivity capabilities (in specially engineered materials) is around -135C. If he wants to drive turbines with heat generated from the fusion core, he'll require at least a 200C temperature difference across a material that needs to have extreme magnetic permeability. This material is pictured in orange, residing between the confinement vessel's walls, and the superconducting electromagnets. It always boils down to materials science.
So very true. As I've previously said:If you listening to us, you would think that ideas change the world more than anything else, but really, it's materials science.
Yeah we're talking about enthalpy in a case of very extreme temperatures, over a very small area, in a close time frame. It's an interesting though experiment, and I'll of course be happy if it works, but it seems like business magic more than any real science.McGuire aims to generate the extreme magnetic fields necessary for plasma confinement with superconductors. Currently, the highest temperature we've observed superconductivity capabilities (in specially engineered materials) is around -135C. If he wants to drive turbines with heat generated from the fusion core, he'll require at least a 200C temperature difference across a material that needs to have extreme magnetic permeability. This material is pictured in orange, residing between the confinement vessel's walls, and the superconducting electromagnets.
Yes and no. Trying to build a functional fusion reactor is a cross-disciplinary task that ropes together experts from many fields. Studying physics will give you an elementary understanding of the situation, but it will take a team of specialists to actually succeed.
oops didn't clarify, I was talking about materials science.
It's sometimes called "Applied Physics" or "Applied Engineering". As you can see here, they're very much in bed together, but "materials science" retains its own specialized curriculum. To the Google with you! And yeah, honestly, if you got a degree in materials/applied science, you'd never be out of a job, but your job could be pretty boring.
Makes sense, don't worry I'm googling my butt off, I just wanted some Hubski insight for context :) thanks! I'm looking to stay on track in terms of learning (and still being interested in) physics so I can major in it as an undergrad. Sounds like I've got a good bit of opportunity to work with if I take that route.
Whatevs. Like every nuclear lab has been failing for the past 50 years because they lack that special skunk works magic. Go to Finance.yahoo.com and take a look at stock prices and volumes following the SR-72. Seems to me that whenever too much negative shit has been said about the F-35, Lockheed spews some Skunkworks bullshit at Aviation Week.
As with any fusion announcement, I am skeptical until there is an actual working prototype. It is exciting, however, to see such a big name behind the announcement this time. It does lend it some credibility.