Reply To: What is the current state of the project?

[Rezwan]

I don’t know how vested their interest in fusion is – if they succeed, they erode their excuse to pursue fission. If they are pursuing fission because they really want arms, the fusion project is a conflict of interest. It may succumb to internal conflicts. Iranian nuclear scientists do tend to be “accident prone.”

I have to confess that when I was in Iran, I proposed the DPF to the folks at the university there, and wrote something up about it. I pitched a “fusion prize” that they should fund, like the Xprize.

Policy Proposal:

For the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran to establish a new Global science and technology prize:
The IRI Alternative Fusion Challenge

IRI = Islamic Republic of Iran.

Eric, if you recall, I cc’d you on the proposal. This was back in Sept. 2007. The professor I gave it to (because he had connections in the energy ministry) said he handed it along to his connections.

I’d like to think that this had some influence on the process, because that would mean they have some far sighted people there. In the proposal I said:

Arguments supporting the proposal
Political Benefits
• Announcing the Fusion Prize will show Iran to be a truly visionary nation that is taking a leadership role in pursuing energy alternatives for the good of all mankind.
• It lends credibility to Iran’s “we need more energy” argument.
• It shows that Iran is more progressive in its pursuit of nuclear alternatives than western nations.
• It creates a compelling condition that western nations need to meet before criticizing Iran’s fission program – they have to materially address the concept of nuclear fusion alternatives. Currently, their spending on such alternatives is infinitesimal compared to any other energy alternatives. Most officials aren’t even familiar with the concepts.

Scientific Benefits:
• Ideally, this challenge will kick off an “alternative fusion race.”
• It may result in the development of a commercially viable nuclear fusion reactor.
• At the least, it will draw attention to fusion alternatives, raising expectations and improving the investment climate for research.
• Even if a viable reactor is not feasible, advancements in science will be made.
• This prize addresses the “brain drain” factor, both internally and externally.
– Internally: Researchers in Iran will be directly encouraged.
– Externally: Iran will stimulate and leverage brainpower worldwide.

Social, Economic, Environmental Benefits
• If a winner for the challenge is found, the world will enter a golden age of fusion.

Arguments opposing the proposal
• Administration cost and complexity, and funding the prize money. In the event a winner is found, $25 Million is owed. There are ways to fund this prize which may end up costing considerably less.
• Furnishing the prize doesn’t give Iran any intellectual property rights in the inventions. For that, Iran needs to directly fund specific research projects in advance.
• The Downside of Success – The world may enter a golden age of fusion. This is great news! Except it requires a complex transition phase that needs to be managed. It also means nuclear fission will be phased out worldwide.

Of course, back then, I didn’t realize Iran had DPFs. But after giving him the proposal, the prof said to me:

Salam
I had a discussion on same item with some of my colleques in dept.
It seems that some research is in progress in some of these fields in iran so we should clarify exactly the technical scop of prize first.
it will take some time from me to finalize it.
Unfortunately, I am goin to Mecca (Haj tamato ) next month
So I am not sure till wich level I can push the subject. But be sure that I will do my Best (inshalla !!
yours

When he came back he said no go on the proposal. And there that rested.

Afterwards, I spoke to a few Iranians researching the DPF. They weren’t using it for fusion at the time. But they have been following our project. And now…

Looks like they skipped past the whole “prize” idea and went straight to “directly funding specific research projects.” Mashallah!

Again, don’t know if my “fusion prize” proposal had anything to do with this current pursuit, but I’d love to rub my hands together in nefarious glee at the thought that FFS/LPP had some influence in kicking off a fusion race. Very handy thing to kick off. Nothing like a nemesis to engage that fabulous competitive drive.

Bonus: It opens up some interesting transformative possibilities. Political fusion as well as particle fusion. Light instead of fire. Other ways of being. Alternative outcomes.