Science
Related: About this forumLooks like Polywell got another two years of funding
I just took a look at talk-polywell and found this thread: http://www.talk-polywell.org/bb/viewtopic.php?t=3690
Following the links to other links, it looks like there was a positive independent review.
There also were apparently some instabilities they need to work through.
bananas
(27,509 posts)Don't have time to read everything but just saw this:
hanelyp
Joined: 26 Oct 2007
Posts: 693
Posted: Wed May 09, 2012 1:50 am
Some statements caught my eye:
Quote:
So an area where more study is required. Joe is sure to jump on that one.
Quote:
Quote:
Not near as much detail as we'd like, but sounds like good news to me.
FogerRox
(13,211 posts)which will be placed in slightly retracted positions compared to the previous generation e-guns. At least thats my take on it. Scaling on the other hand is excellent, WB-8 is twice the size of Wb-7, scaling says you double the size you get 144 times more fusion.
longship
(40,416 posts)Fusion is difficult. I wish them well.
krispos42
(49,445 posts)Occulus
(20,599 posts)What it means is that the underwriters- the Navy, I believe- feel there is some "there" there.
We NEED this. Badly.
FogerRox
(13,211 posts)Yes, there is some there there.
Occulus
(20,599 posts)And not just do a helium test?
They're that far along?
FogerRox
(13,211 posts)they just got more funding which starts with new E-guns, then analyze, if the new e-guns solve the perimeter anomaly, then expect WB-8.1 to operate, running the P-B11 fuel.
Helium is only a initial/breakin test, before Deuterium runs. SO yes, P-B11 might only be 1-2 years away.
Yeah Goodie goodie.....
FogerRox
(13,211 posts)bananas
(27,509 posts)"DU Talks Polywell"
http://www.talk-polywell.org/bb/viewtopic.php?t=3726
Occulus
(20,599 posts)I know I differ on that; humanity badly needs fusion.
FogerRox
(13,211 posts)with some decidedly one dimensional views of politics. The sort of "all dems do this", like saying all dems are anti gun, its just not true. I was one of the first 30 or so members at talk-polywell, and early on was the only Liberal on the board.
FogerRox
(13,211 posts)to rub in at least one persons/assholes face.
hunter
(38,325 posts)If fusion energy is inexpensive humans will eat this planet, and then we'll all die.
If fusion energy is just a bit less expensive than fuel oil made out of coal, there may some hope for us.
bananas
(27,509 posts)But I don't think he'd agree with you about energy.
Sagan warned against humans' tendency towards anthropocentrism. He was the faculty adviser for the Cornell Students for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. In the Cosmos chapter "Blues For a Red Planet", Sagan wrote, "If there is life on Mars, I believe we should do nothing with Mars. Mars then belongs to the Martians, even if the Martians are only microbes."[56]
http://skepticalvegan.com/2011/11/09/happy-b-day-carl/
Carl Sagan and Animal Rights
November 9th marks the 77th anniversary of Carl Sagans birth. Today we celebrate the life of a great scientist and promoter of animal rights. Over the years Sagan spoke out against anthropocentrism and called on us to extend our ethical perspectives downward through the taxa on Earth and upwards to extraterrestrial organisms, if they exist. For two and a half years Sagan served as faculty adviser for Cornell Students for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (CSETA) and was somewhat controversial for some of his views on animals. In his book Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors he remarked, Humanswho enslave, castrate, experiment on, and fillet other animalshave had an understandable penchant for pretending animals do not feel pain. A sharp distinction between humans and animals is essential if we are to bend them to our will, make them work for us, wear them, eat themwithout any disquieting tinges of guilt or regret. It is unseemly of us, who often behave so unfeeling toward other animals, to contend that only humans can suffer. The behavior of other animals renders such pretensions specious.They are just too much like us.
Carl Sagan had much to say on cetacean intelligence as well and was also a major critic of whaling going so far as to call it monstrous and barbaric and murder.
He also held critical attitudes toward at least some vivisection, especially primate research and was a supporter of the Great Ape Project which attempts to extend basic rights to Great Apes. Having received bone marrow transplants developed using animal models, he questioned the justice of medical research, saying he felt very conflicted on this issue.
PETA used to have him on a list of prominent vegans but have since removed him for lack of evidence. Sagan by reports wasnt a big meat eater but wasnt vegan either, he advocated humane treatment rather than non-exploitation and generally took a measured approach to controversial issues in his life.
Near the end of his life in 1996 Sagan wrote In my writings, I have tried to show how closely related we are to other animals and how morally bankrupt it is to slaughter them, say, to manufacture lipstick. We would all do well to contemplate Carl Sagans words and their implications on our and other lives. He was an important and intelligent man with much to contribute to science, philosophy and general culture. Happy Birthday Carl, you are missed!
*please note this is a re-post from last year