Re: the year 2100

[Joel Rauber <Joel_Rauber@SDSTATE.EDU>]

An oft repeated joke given at colloquia by fusion energy folks is

"fusion power is twenty years away and that prediction hasn't changed for
the last fifty years . . ."

Joel

> -----Original Message-----
> From: phys-l@lists.nau.edu: Forum for Physics Educators
> [mailto:PHYS-L@lists.nau.edu]On Behalf Of Tim O'Donnell
> Sent: Monday, February 05, 2001 11:54 AM
> To: PHYS-L@lists.nau.edu
> Subject: Re: the year 2100
>
>
> > The point of view of my project is a 'worst-case' scenario.
> > WHAT IF no major breakthroughs in energy technology/physics
> > occur in the next 100 years.  If we look at the past
> > century, there is really little 'new' in commercial 'energy
> > production' apart from nuclear and photo-voltaic electrical
> > production.  Sure the engineering and much of the technology
> > has improved, but the physics of the energy industry would
> > be easy for the circa 1900 physicist to comprehend.  So,
> > while we hope for breakthroughs in areas such as fusion, and
> > could always be surprised by something coming totally out of
> > 'left field', it is not unreasonable to look at what the
> > possibilities/probabilities would be without any 'new
> > physics' and with little in the way of true 'breakthrough'
> > technology.
>
> Rick,
> What is your feeling on fusion?
> At one point in time by 2050 I taught it might be a major
> supplier, but now it seems dead in the water.  I haven't
> heard much about it for a few years.
>
> Tim O'Donnell
> Instructor of Physics and Chemistry
> Celina High School
> 715 East Wayne Street
> Celina, Ohio 45822
> (419) 586-8300 Ext 1200 or 1201
> odonnt@celina.k12.oh.us
>
> "Chance only favors the prepared mind." - Louis Pasteur