Reply To: some other plasma \ fusion project

[Francisl]

I can’t offer any insights on the MIT news but I do have some thoughts about it. This news can stimulate more interest in fusion projects other than ITER. As a research tool it will give a boost to plasma physics and superconductor magnet construction.
The magnets will be the most interesting part of the project for the next few years. There could be useful spinoffs like better MRI machines for medical use or more efficient motors for industrial use etc..
Now I will speculate. This type of machine will convert fusion energy into heat to run turbines. Suppose these powerful magnets can give precise control over the plasma. It may be possible to siphon off a small beam of very energetic particles through a magnetic tunnel and use a direct energy capture system like LPP proposes. Then it would be possible to constantly feed in new fuel and extract helium and other fusion products.
Another speculation. Suppose these magnets allow fast pulsing in the field strength. Each time the pulse is stronger the fusion yield increases. As the pulse decreases the fusion yield decreases. The pulsing fusion yields will amplify the magnetic force in the plasma that is pushing back against the magnetic force from the magnets. The pulsing magnetic fields allow energy to be extracted from the plasma in a transformer type action. Of course this is assuming a significant net energy production from the fusion reactions.
Another possibility is that these magnets could be used in other magnetic confinement fusion projects.