Kalistani Major History

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Kalistani Physicists develop theoretical Fusion Reactor
Use of massive magnets may someday allow Republic to generate millions of megawatts of clean energy
Kaliburg, Ananto
October 12, 5083


As Deuterium Gas, derived from seawater, is injected into a fast moving magnetic field, it forms plasma which can be used to supercompress Hydrogen Atoms, leading to creation of massive amounts of clean energy

Physicists at the Kaliburg Polytechnic University in Kaliburg have developed a theoretical fusion reactor which is many times smaller and requires significantly less energy to operate, to allow the supercompression of hydrogen atoms. Lead researcher Dr. Janice Schmidt, of Sulari, announced the breakthrough at a symposium on exploration of green energy alternatives in Kaliburg last week.

"Our team has built on the work done several centuries ago in Valruzia, Gaduridos and Jakania, which were extensions of their nuclear fission programs. The farthest along examples of their fusion programs were foundations of fusion reactors, but there was no evidence that functioning fusion reactors, especially commercially viable ones, were ever actually built. We think our breakthrough, in theory, could lead to a big change in that reality."

The theoretical reactor doesn't utilize massive magnetic buildings the way other experimental fusion reactors have, but instead is much more compact, requiring far less energy to operate. "A smaller size and smaller power requirement has the potential to make the Kalistani Reactor, when built, commercially viable, and could change the face of the planet," said Schmidt. This theoretical reactor employs columns of fast moving plasma which is pinches and compressed, will allow for the creation of conditions similar to the center or the sun, in a very compact reactor and will cause the fusion of hydrogen atoms into helium which will generate massive amounts of energy. "In theory, we could create as much energy from 8 ounces of seawater as is created by burning several barrels of oil," said Schmidt. "The idea that we could one day generate relatively infinite amounts of clean energy for next to nothing is very exciting, and we see this theoretical reactor as the first step."

The Ministry of Science has already begun investing in the project, and while the reactor is only built within a computer simulator at this point, with further significant investment, a working prototype is expected within the next six years. "The math is there, but, the technology to realize this in the real world is going to take time to develop and build. At the current rates of discovery, six years is a fairly conservative estimate." KalMD, Kalistan's leading electronics company, is also expected to invest significant capital into the project.

This discovery technically opens the door to nuclear power research, which is controversial in the Republic, but allows the Republic to avoid the highly unstable and environmentally destructive fission power which is common in other nations. "We want to ensure the public that we have also simulated breakdowns in containment and plasma fields, and the worst thing that the theoretical reactor produced was inert steam, which cooled and dissipated very quickly. Since the reaction is caused by the plasma within the containment field, sans containment field, there is no more plasma and no more reaction, and therefore, there is no possibility of an explosion or a meltdown like you would seen in currently designed fission reactors. This should allay fears of catastrophic nuclear destruction among the conscientious people of the Republic."