Economist Podcasts Precious joules: a fusion-energy result
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Dec 14, 2022 
Join Alok Jha, Science correspondent for The Economist, as he dives into the exciting breakthrough in nuclear fusion, illuminating the path toward clean energy despite lingering challenges. John Priddo discusses the historic passage of the Respect for Marriage Act, emphasizing its role in securing equality for LGBTQ+ rights in America. Meanwhile, Hamza Jalani shares insights into the plight of Darjeeling tea farmers, who face economic and environmental hurdles. Together, these topics weave a fascinating tapestry of science, culture, and societal change.
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Fusion Power's Potential
- Nuclear fusion, the process powering stars, offers a limitless, clean energy source.
- Recreating these conditions on Earth, however, requires extreme temperatures and pressures.
Challenges of Achieving Fusion
- Mimicking the sun's conditions for fusion on Earth is incredibly challenging.
- The required gravity and temperatures necessitate clever engineering and robust materials.
NIF's "Gain" Achievement
- NIF achieved "gain," where a fusion reaction produces more energy than the lasers input.
- However, the overall system used far more energy to power those lasers.