Nuclear Fusion: Inside the Lab that Made History

In December 2022, scientists at the National Ignition Facility at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory ignited the first human-caused fusion reaction that generated more energy than it took to create the reaction.

0:00 Intro
0:42 Breakthrough in Nuclear Fusion
1:35 The Promise of Nuclear Fusion
2:17 The Ignition Facility
3:28 Target Chamber
4:26 The Target
4:53 The Event
5:32 Future of Fusion

Read the CNET Article for more info:

Andy on Twitter: @theandyaltman

#fusion #nuclear #science

[DrSnackCake]

The thing is - all the experts say we are still a decade out from this actually being viable. However, technology trends tend to snowball and come faster than expected. Just think about how long it took for a plane when it was first developed till now. Now think about how quickly phones modernized. This technology will come quicker that we think and I am all for it!

[TechGamesAU]

1:25. CORRECTION: it did not generate more energy than it took to trigger the reaction. It simply generated more energy than was directly input into the cylinder. The energy output was not greater than the total combined energy to trigger the reaction.

[joseantoniocanorosas]

For Fusion Energy, the sooner the better 👍

[Just_Rick_]

I think it'll happen sooner than expected because we need it to.

[LaplacianFourier]

Love What the Future segments! Keep them coming.

[JigilJigil]

It is admirable that you take the time to go to these facilities and places for these videos, if possible, please do similar videos on some of the startups that are working on fusion as well.

[dbsirius]

Fusion is only a decade away, it's always been a decade away.

[philly-nv.]

I'm glad I am alive during a historical moment in mankind's history and future. Thank you for your persistence.

[LillyJem]

This video overlooks many of the issues facing fusion re:scalability, energy storage and safety and makes it sound like a magic trick

[iWasBetterOffDead]

In 200 years it’ll be perfected for all aircraft…and we were here for the start of it all ❤️‍🔥

[antonod]

This is truly a monumental achievement in the field of science and energy! The potential of nuclear fusion is astounding - a clean, safe, and virtually limitless source of energy that could revolutionize our world. The dedication and ingenuity of the scientists at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory are inspiring. Their work brings us one step closer to a sustainable future. Can't wait to see what the next experiment brings! Keep up the fantastic work!

[zubin]

This is a really cool explanation of a beautiful, beneficial yet complicated thing. Thanks for making this. This will be my references for when someone asks "what happens at Lawrence Livermore", or "how DO they make fusion happen" - Well this is what happens there, and how they do it. Thanks again CNET team 👍.

And I can't be more pumped for what more is to come in WTF!

[Dra]

Twenty billions of a second we were able to achieve temperatures sixty million degrees, confirming that fusion reaction is the future, and it was in the timeline that I calculated and I calculated it accurately

[robertconcepcion]

I like that the boss is sleeping and still have the credit 😂

[adtwinonline]

Wow ! "Truly a "Wright Brothers Moment" after 30 years --for Making Earth Great Again ! Go Livermore Lab !

[Allaces]

So let me get this right.... it takes 400mj to send a laser of 2mj to create a reaction of 3mj and this machine is not intended for the future of energy production??

[Dra]

They were able to achieve are of significant high pressures and the various conditions, but they were able to contain the film and make a calculation what the minimum time of these temperatures being achieved and they was able to calculate from minimum. That's good math

[waynegosson]

We already have. And this was a great video thank you.

[ichigoshippudenjesusisking]

Oh yes! Very much achievable soon actually!

[johnh]

As soon as any neutrons are produced, the laser lenses will go black. And in any case, where would they put the neutron multipliers, the tritium breeding lithium-6 and the cooling channels?