Splitting apart atoms and getting at the energy inside seems like a very clever way to get energy, but solar seems like a more "obvious" way. The Sun is beaming down free energy on us 24/7, all we need to do is capture it (well 12/7, if you happen to be facing away from the Sun at the time .
Fossil fuels are a gift of nature... all those rotting plants for millions of years, just sitting in the ground in an energy dense sludge. But there isn't an unlimited amount of it, so we will have to move away *eventually*. I don't mind their usage for kickstarting industrial civilization, but once we reach the level of technology where we can use an alternative we should. And with solar cells getting better every year that time is now or close to it.
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Does anyone happen to know if the touted Thorium based nuclear cycle is actually practicable, or is it just wishful thinking?
Does anyone happen to know if the touted Thorium based nuclear cycle is actually practicable, or is it just wishful thinking?
Oak Ridge National Lab had one working in the 60's/70's, but more development needs to be done before commercialization.
http://www.npr.org/2012/05/04/152026805/is-thorium-a-magic-bullet-for-our-energy-problems
http://www.physicscentral.com/buzz/blog/index.cfm?postid=5353784981711105155
My bet is that micro nukes will become commercially viable before Thorium. Even Bill Gates supports them. They actually could be viable by 2025.
Splitting apart atoms and getting at the energy inside seems like a very clever way to get energy, but solar seems like a more "obvious" way. The Sun is beaming down free energy on us 24/7, all we need to do is capture it (well 12/7, if you happen to be facing away from the Sun at the time
.
Fossil fuels are a gift of nature... all those rotting plants for millions of years, just sitting in the ground in an energy dense sludge. But there isn't an unlimited amount of it, so we will have to move away *eventually*. I don't mind their usage for kickstarting industrial civilization, but once we reach the level of technology where we can use an alternative we should. And with solar cells getting better every year that time is now or close to it.
It's also a clever way to get your ass blown up.
Or just stick a high-pressure air hose in your bum.
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