An article in the September issue of Physics Today highlights the continuing erosion of the US fusion program.  (”The US narrows fusion research focus, joins German Stellarator.)

On September 9, 2011, the full Senate Committee on Appropriations approved its version of the FY12 Energy and Water Development funding bill.

Update as of March 13:  Nuclear situation worsens.  Full blown disaster. Fund fusion!

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The American Security Project released a new white paper titled “Fusion Energy: An Opportunity for American Leadership and Security” (pdf file) explaining the potential significant gains of American investment in fusion energy.  It recommends a total government investment of $35 billion over a period of 15 years.

In a country song, a youth once asked an old cowboy about the secret to life.  The response was “Older whiskey, younger women, faster cars, more money.” 

This line captures the essence of the ideal fusion program.

It’s been a sad yet hopeful month for fusion.  Sad due to university funding cuts.  Hopeful due to the publication of the “Post-Partisan Power” report.

The global warming debate that has dominated our forum posts is distracting from the Focus Fusion Mission.  It will hereby be capped by Monday, June 7, 2010.

Thanks to a PPPL physicist, we have a handy metaphor to distinguish DT fusion from aneutronic fusion.  This isn’t about any fusion devices, but rather the fusible material itself - the fuel.

On February 16-19, PPPL hosted the ICC Workshop (Innovative Confinement Concepts).  This coincided with Bill Gates’ TED talk, in which he proposed nuclear fission innovations as a solution to the world energy+CO2 crisis.  These two events can be juxtaposed with proactive implications for Fusion research strategy.

Why are we taking such a public approach to the pursuit of fusion?  Several reasons.

There’s a pun in here about “poisson” and “fission”, except we’re not promoting fission.  We’re for focus fusion.  So, apparently, is Jesus.