FUSION POWER

摘要

Stars do it, so why can't we? That's the attitude of nuclear-fusion optimists, who believe that mankind can create almost unlimited energy by fusing atomic nuclei. It's how the sun and other celestial gasbags stay lit, by subjecting hydrogen to massive amounts of heat and pressure. Thermonuclear bombs rely on fusion, too, though in a notably uncontrolled fashion. The trick to harnessing the phenomenon for peaceful purposes is to keep it contained-and, of course, to make sure the reaction produces more energy than it consumes.