I kind of had this image of "fusion power" as future energy, but recently I was surprised by how much private money is pouring in😳✨
What's more, some companies are making pretty bold claims like "We'll commercialize and sell electricity in just a few years!"💡
Let me try to organize my thoughts about this～🧠
What is fusion power in simple terms?
Basically, fusion is simply "the phenomenon where light atoms combine to form new atoms, releasing massive amounts of energy"💥
It's the same phenomenon that occurs in the sun, uses hydrogen isotopes as fuel, produces almost no waste, and has low radioactivity✨
That's why it's considered "potentially clean and nearly limitless energy!"💭
But...what's the reality?
Fusion has been a dream technology that's been researched for a long time, but the equipment is extremely complex and maintaining stable operation for long periods has been challenging😮💨
Even so, recently private companies are pouring billions of dollars (trillions of yen!) into accelerating research💸
Some companies are boldly claiming "commercialization in just a few years!" which is becoming quite a topic of discussion💬
What are the characteristics of these companies?
- They're trying to create compact and efficient equipment
- They're using new technologies, materials, and AI for control optimization
- They have more momentum than government-led large-scale projects
However, some experts seem to be saying, "The technical barriers are still high, and I think it will take considerable time～"🤔
Why is so much money flowing in now?
- Fossil fuel issues make CO2 reduction urgent🌍
- Fusion is theoretically clean and capable of massive power generation, giving it future potential💡
- Venture capitalists and major corporations feel "This might be the opportunity!"
In other words, there might be a feeling of "We can't afford to miss out!"✨
So, what will ultimately happen?
Hmm, to be honest, "It'll be commonly used in just a few years!" still seems like a pretty high hurdle💭
However, with this much money moving around, research will undoubtedly advance rapidly, so we might be able to reap some benefits in about 10 years or so👍
While technical barriers still exist, the expectations for future energy and the influx of funding is definitely an exciting story🌸
Science topics can be interesting sometimes too〜💗
Hatena
Comments
ハンナ
Some companies are making unreasonable claims right now...
エイダン
Compared to the AI bubble, this is pocket change. Just imagine how much money flows into space development over the same period.
リリー
It's sad that we've been taught for 40 years that it's all lies.
グレース
I don't think it can ever match renewable energy, especially solar power's energy recovery rate.
ジョージ
Is this going to be the next bubble? Isn't America growing only through AI right now?
クリス
I think fusion energy is the future and the only solution that can completely replace fossil fuels. Nuclear power should be prioritized more.
ノーラン
Fusion isn't the answer. It probably won't even be realized, and we can't drink helium when water shortages are so severe.
キンバリー
According to the article, the background includes the urgency of carbon-free energy, AI advancements, increasing private companies, and funding from billionaires.
ロバート
Billions are being invested in cutting-edge technologies like SPARC tokamaks and stellarators, aiming for commercialization by the mid-2030s.
ベン
If we advance AI further, we should be able to open up the future. Aiming for AGI is a bigger gamble but more interesting. Could capitalism eventually become true communism? Too exciting!
リリー
There's nothing wrong with nuclear fission. We already have 5th generation reactors and triple fuel cycles that make fusion unnecessary. It's good, but we're just overlooking the solutions that already exist.
