Well, yes
but the confinement of the plasma (at least in a tokamak) is done magnetically, so it doesn't 'touch the sides' as it were. The biggest problem is getting the plasma to sustain without having to put in more power than can be extracted.

As you say though, it's not the physics. We understand the theory pretty well. It's more of an engineering problem now.

Fission is OK, but we could run out of uranium relatively soon. Whereas we've got oceans full of water, and there's enough deuterium in it to keep us going for a long time yet. And electric cars are useless if you can't generate the electricity. Fusion is the only long term solution. IMHO.
( K2k6 has a proper job these days, Mon 22 Jun 2009, 10:50, 1 reply, 17 years ago)

Agreed
There is only a finite amount of useful Uranium in the ground, certainly not enough to compete with fossil fuels.

The point everyone seems to miss is that an electric car is using electricity generated mostly from non-sustainable means. We need to find a way of replacing an oil and gas based energy infrastructure within the next thirty years.

I'd happily stomach the 300% tax markup on the cost of a litre of petrol if the tax raised was spent on alternative energy research...
(Bicycle Repairman "you're also a bit of a wanker", Mon 22 Jun 2009, 11:04, Reply)

A bit of education for the masses
On Green/Sustainable living wouldn't go amiss. In fact perhaps introduce it into school as compulsory.

I mean I'd say almost everyone I've lived with at University has had a fundamental issue with electricity saving. For example, leaving all the lights on before leaving the flat for the day. Or leaving every device on standby rather than turning off.

Not that I'm perfect, but if this is the state of supposedly affluent and educated people, it makes you wonder.
( whenanimalsattackhumans clad in global hypercolour, Mon 22 Jun 2009, 11:29, Reply)