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comment by am_Unition

McGuire aims to generate the extreme magnetic fields necessary for plasma confinement with superconductors. Currently, the highest temperature at which we've observed superconductivity capabilities (in specially engineered materials) is around -135C. If he wants to drive turbines with heat generated from the fusion core, he'll require at least a 200C temperature difference across a material that needs to have extreme magnetic permeability. This material is pictured in orange, residing between the confinement vessel's walls, and the superconducting electromagnets.

It always boils down to materials science.





mk  ·  3452 days ago  ·  link  ·  

So very true. As I've previously said:

    If you listening to us, you would think that ideas change the world more than anything else, but really, it's materials science.
mknod  ·  3451 days ago  ·  link  ·  

I want this on a poster/tee-shirt/book cover so people will think I am cool for thinking this. I really like it.

mknod  ·  3451 days ago  ·  link  ·  

    McGuire aims to generate the extreme magnetic fields necessary for plasma confinement with superconductors. Currently, the highest temperature we've observed superconductivity capabilities (in specially engineered materials) is around -135C. If he wants to drive turbines with heat generated from the fusion core, he'll require at least a 200C temperature difference across a material that needs to have extreme magnetic permeability. This material is pictured in orange, residing between the confinement vessel's walls, and the superconducting electromagnets.

Yeah we're talking about enthalpy in a case of very extreme temperatures, over a very small area, in a close time frame. It's an interesting though experiment, and I'll of course be happy if it works, but it seems like business magic more than any real science.

nowaypablo  ·  3451 days ago  ·  link  ·  

Is this something one may study in college?

am_Unition  ·  3451 days ago  ·  link  ·  

Yes and no.

Trying to build a functional fusion reactor is a cross-disciplinary task that ropes together experts from many fields.

Studying physics will give you an elementary understanding of the situation, but it will take a team of specialists to actually succeed.

nowaypablo  ·  3451 days ago  ·  link  ·  

oops didn't clarify, I was talking about materials science.

kleinbl00  ·  3450 days ago  ·  link  ·  
am_Unition  ·  3451 days ago  ·  link  ·  

It's sometimes called "Applied Physics" or "Applied Engineering".

As you can see here, they're very much in bed together, but "materials science" retains its own specialized curriculum. To the Google with you!

And yeah, honestly, if you got a degree in materials/applied science, you'd never be out of a job, but your job could be pretty boring.

nowaypablo  ·  3450 days ago  ·  link  ·  

Makes sense, don't worry I'm googling my butt off, I just wanted some Hubski insight for context :) thanks!

I'm looking to stay on track in terms of learning (and still being interested in) physics so I can major in it as an undergrad. Sounds like I've got a good bit of opportunity to work with if I take that route.