France won an international competition today to be the site of the world's first nuclear fusion reactor, an estimated $12 billion project that many scientists see as essential to solving the world's future energy needs.
While the physics of nuclear fusion have long been understood, the engineering required to control the process remains difficult and the logistics of coordinating construction among a six-member consortium presents an even bigger challenge.
Japan finally agreed to relinquish its bid in return for the consortium's commitment to build a $1 billion materials testing facility in that country.
The consortium also promised Japan that any subsequent fusion reactor would be built there, a significant concession as the first reactor is a development project meant to solve the various technical problems involved and prove that fusion can be harnessed as an economically viable energy source. A second reactor would likely be a prototype meant for commercial power generation.
Still, few scientists expect a fusion reactor to generate commercially viable electricity before the middle of the century, if by then. - nytimes.com
Righty-ho. The French seem to have been seduced by novelty. Fusion is sexy, I admit. But how sexy will it be when it's bogged down in inevitable engineering problems and all the neighbourhood kids have no hair?
Risky Business
This is an excellent article on theft prevention as a community.
Pain Killer Saga
So finally, I got an appointment yesterday with the anaesthesiologist (spelt wrong by you know what I mean) at the Burwood Hospital Pain Management clinic. He gave me a prescription.
I went to the pharmacy and found out that the drug he prescribed is no longer avaialable in New Zealand.
Then I spent $45 at an after hours doctor to get 2 pills that helped slightly. I am so pissed off. Professional doctors who know what the hell they're doing seem to be in woefully short supply in this country.