Reply To: Need of beryllium and other rare materials for Focus Fusion

[epimenide]

Breakable wrote: Matt’s example seems to be pretty good.

I agree: this is the sort of simulation I was talking about. Issue is, can someone work out the variables and the math involved?

Aeronaut wrote: Only 3 variables. Maybe an “Experts” tab with as many as 10 variables if so desired…

I see this as secondary, it can even be left out for the first version (KISS, you know?): what we want (always IMHO, of course) is making something easy to understand for people that don’t even know what fusion is…

If this could be done at all (I don’t worry about programming it, obviously, more about the math), what I envision for something like that could be:

Overview
Present the different types of proposed fusion device (Tokamak, Polywell, DPF, …): maybe it’s even worth to throw a classical fission device in, to outline the differences. The purpose is getting as much efficiency and lower cost per watt, given the different fuels and taking in account the initial cost for the plant and processing of the waste.

Detail Level
I’d keep it very simple, maybe sample plants with all the necessary gear that can be customized in a limited and controlled way: of course, better points for good shielding (when needed), lower for unnecessary waste, and so on.
I think this would show very well the advantages of DPF over the other devices, especially when geared for aneutronic: it would be stupid not to notice the elegance of the principle and lack of complex ancillary systems that would make the solution cheap and secure at the same time…

Education
Each simulation should be completed by a brief description and history (animation, maybe?), with links to relevant sites: this would generate interest and traffic, and of course awareness in turn. In my experience, I’d also make possible to have an online scoring system.

Graphics
Yes, it could be started simple, but I wouldn’t make it too simple! People is used to get astounding graphics for games, even on mobiles, something that doesn’t catch the eye, as well as the mind, is unlikely to get much attention…
This, together with the math, is my main concern (as I have horrible graphic skills myself): could some good illustrator be involved? On the site we’ve nice animations, could something similar be planned for the game?

Entertainment
That’s difficult to define, and I’d appreciate any contribution in this direction. Maybe we don’t want to build up a community, as we’re not living out of it, a casual game has less stringent criteria but should still be intriguing enough to last more than a few seconds on the user device… Looking at users’ reviews is a telltale sign!