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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Peaceful uses of fusion

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/4304490· OSTI ID:4304490
Applications a thermonuclear energy for peaceful and constructive purposes are surveyed. Developments and problems in the release and control of fusion energy are reviewed. It is pointed out that the future of thermonuclear power reactors will depend upon the construction of a machine that produces more electric energy than it consumes. The fuel for thermonuclear reactors is cheap and practically inexhaustible. Thermonuclear reactors produce less dangerous radioactive materials than fission reactors and when once brought under control are not as likely to be subject to dangerous excursions. The interaction of the hot plasma with magnetic fields opens the way for the direct production of electricity. It is possible that explosive fusion energy released underground may be harnessed for the production of electricity before the same feat is accomplished in controlled fusion processes. Applications of underground detonations of fission devices in mining and for the enhancement of oil flow in large low--specific-yield formations are also suggested.
Research Organization:
University of California, Livermore, CA (US)
Sponsoring Organization:
US Atomic Energy Commission
NSA Number:
NSA-12-016866
OSTI ID:
4304490
Report Number(s):
UCRL-5257(Rev.); A80044372; ON: DE04304490
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English