If fusion research was funded adequately we'd probably have it by now, but I don't know if it's the energy lobby or what that means that it's chronically underfunded. An actually working fusion reactor design would bring about such an upheaval in the energy markets that I wouldn't be surprised if plutocrats had a hand in making sure the research receives orders of magnitude less money than it should.

[–] malloc 10 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Existing energy conglomerates (ie, oil and gas) probably send their army of lobbyists around the world to spread FUD about fusion. Thus minimal funding. 🪦

[–] TheWoozy 0 points 8 months ago

Not while fusion is 30 years away. They'll wait until it's closer to 2 years.

[–] AA5B 3 points 8 months ago

Maybe. We all (here) wish fusion power was funded better and understand how useful it could be for humanity if we can make it happen, but ….

yesterday I read about the Stellerator using 3D printed parts
in this thread, someone commented on using ai to drive containment
I’m sure teams must be using the latest materials.

It’s quite possible that we would have always needed the rest of the world to catch up