Nuclear fusion, explained for beginners

What’s really going on with nuclear fusion?? @simonegiertz and I try to explain...
Get your own Oura ring (I got silver, if you want to match!): www.bit.ly/oura-cleo
PART 2 COMING SOON. Subscribe to see it: kzbin.info?sub...
You’ve probably heard about nuclear fusion. Maybe you've heard recent news about the Livermore National Lab achieving a nuclear fusion breakthrough called "ignition" - meaning it produced more energy than it took to start the reaction. That's a huge deal! But it leaves other questions unanswered. I wanted to know more.
I started by asking the CEO of the nuclear fusion company Helion all my big questions: What is nuclear fusion, really? I know it happens on the sun, but how can we do it on earth? Are we doing it already? Then, I ask one last question: “I’ve heard about kids building fusion reactors in their moms’ garage… if fusion is so hard… what are THEY doing?” The answer sets off the most fun and ambitious Huge If True episode yet.
It turns out that you can actually BUILD a nuclear fusion device. So I team up with my friend Simone Giertz to try. When something goes wrong, it turns into an explainer on what’s really going on with the world’s most-hyped energy source.
Special thanks to Jessie, Ron and Joben at Helion for helping set up such an exciting shoot (and not giving up!). And thank you to Anna Bresnahan for helping shoot this episode!
Chapters:
00:00 We tried to build a nuclear fusion reactor
03:07 What IS nuclear fusion?
04:51 Thank you, Oura!
05:31 How close are we to nuclear fusion?
07:30 How does nuclear fusion work?
08:31 How does the sun do fusion?
09:21 Magnetic confinement fusion
09:52 Inertial confinement fusion
10:37 Magneto-inertial confinement fusion
11:01 What does fusion LOOK like?
12:03 Why CAN'T we do fusion?
13:33 Why do we need fusion?
Correction:
07:48 In plasma, one or more electrons are torn free from an atom (as opposed to protons and neutrons themselves being "broken into bits"!)
Sources and further reading:
- Watch more from Simone here: / simonegiertz
- The Star Builders: Nuclear Fusion and the Race to Power the Planet, by Arthur Turrell: www.amazon.com/Star-Builders-...
- The Future of Fusion Energy, by Jason Parisi and Justin Ball: www.amazon.com/Future-Fusion-...
- Atomic Awakening: A New Look At The History And Future Of Nuclear Power, by James Mahaffey: www.amazon.com/Atomic-Awakeni...
- Principles Of Fusion Energy: An Introduction To Fusion Energy For Students Of Science And Engineering: www.amazon.com/Principles-Fus...
- “Nuclear fusion power inches closer to reality,” Washington Post: www.washingtonpost.com/techno...
- “Major breakthrough on nuclear fusion energy,” BBC: • Major breakthrough on ...
- “Fusion Power Explained: Future or Failure,” Kurzgesagt: • Fusion Power Explained...
- “How Helion’s approach to fusion works” • Helion's approach to f...
- “We Went Inside the Largest Nuclear Fusion Reactor, The B1M: • We Went Inside the Lar...
- “Why Private Billions Are Flowing Into Fusion,” Bloomberg: • Why Private Billions A...
Be featured in an episode - upload questions for me to answer! www.dropbox.com/request/Edocs...
You can find me on TikTok here for short, fun tech explainers: / cleoabram
You can find me on Instagram here for more personal stories: / cleoabram
You can find me on Twitter here for thoughts, threads and curated news: / cleoabram
Bio:
Cleo Abram is an Emmy-nominated video producer and journalist. Cleo produces detailed explainer stories about technology and economics. She wrote the Coding and Diamonds episodes of Vox’s Netflix show, Explained, was the host and a senior producer of Vox’s first ever daily show, Answered, as well as a host and producer of Vox’s KZbin Originals show, Glad You Asked. She now makes her own independent show, Huge If True. Each episode takes on one big technology innovation or idea, explains what it is, and helps people imagine the ways it could improve the world we live in by answering one simple question: If this works, what could go right?
Vox: www.vox.com/authors/cleo-abram
IMDb: www.imdb.com/name/nm10108242/
Gear I use:
Camera: Sony A7SIII
Lens: Sony 16-35 mm F2.8 GM
Audio: Sennheiser SK AVX and Zoom H4N Pro
Music: Musicbed
Follow along for more episodes of Huge If True: kzbin.info?sub...
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Welcome to the joke down low:
How does a nuclear physicist ask for a salary increase?
Gamma rays.
Find a way to use the word “rays” in a comment to let me know you’re a real one ;)

[@simonegiertz]

Good riddance to the person that stole those packages! Can’t wait to see what they use it for 😂

[@beng6044]

Thank you Simone and Cleo for being awesome role models for girls everywhere. You are both amazingly talented and intelligent women!

[@antonkristensen6665]

Hey from the "misshapen metal bits" comment it sounds like it was your grid that was stolen? I built a fusor as my bachelor thesis at uni, and it was actually really easy to make prototype grids by hand with just stainless steel thread. Also from my experience you might benefit from more "spokes" on your grid.

[@floydbarber7528]

probably change the world by making a fusion that works and gives more energy

[@booneadkins]

Evil Iron Man suit?

[@TheMemesofDestruction]

Good thing that stuffs totally not trackable.

[@stephanien0-0]

As a nuclear engineer, I’m in AWE that you got the CEO of Helion on here! That’s so cool, id love to work for helion I’m so happy you met him

[@hikolanikola8775]

well if you were that sexy im sure he would meet you too haha... :(

[@ithuestad]

At 8:00 you refer to plasma as the disassociation of neutrons, protons, and electrons; however, (in this context) plasma is when the electrons are stripped from the nucleus (ionized) while the protons and neutrons remain bound to each other. I really enjoy your videos.

[@siggiTHEsiegmund]

really enjoy watching the video! But this needs to be corrected or annotated.

[@CleoAbram]

Hey, thanks! I've added a correction here, and it should appear as a little info card in the video there: "07:48 In plasma, one or more electrons are torn free from an atom (as opposed to protons and neutrons themselves being "broken into bits"!)"

[@CraftyF0X]

There were other tiny errors too but there is no need for me to be pedantic it was a goood introduction for anyone not too familiar.

[@MikkoRantalainen]

@@CleoAbram There's something wrong with that info card. All I can see is little "ⓘ" symbol on top left but it only says "(null)" when I try to interact with it.

[@clementpecheux1586]

Also at 7:48, when you say that you don't find plasma in a kitchen it made me ask my self if flames or neon lights are plasma. If it is the case then you might have plasma in your kitchen 😉

[@JoeLorence]

It's been so much fun watching and seeing some skills that you obviously developed at Vox, but now also storytelling and style and voice that is definitely uniquely yours. Loving the quality of this content and watching it evolve with every new episode!

[@MrOwen27]

Don't like breaking the fourth wall, it was fine when som people where doing that, now everyone doing this, and it's enjoying, ruins storytelling.

[@zach4505]

Reminds me of organizational structure of guilds. Cleo, in my eyes, has gone through an Apprenticeship, Journeyman, and is Master of the video journalism craft. I feel she can have a successful lifelong career with this. Especially if she can bottle her success and market it to others in her trade of video journalism. Beautiful work Cleo, Ill be sharing your work with my students.

[@Birdyflys-tt9gm]

Best part is, it’s not political

[@HelionEnergy]

Awesome working with you on this one - we can’t wait to see the fusor built in Part 2!

[@trevorsmith779]

is the fusor going to be implementing a FRC configuration?

[@pieterpretorius1014]

i wonder if its possible to control a farnsworth fusor with an arduino? and what kind of sensors it would need for the whole contraption to actually sustain itself? i've looked into these little fusors for quite the while but never had the guts or the money to build one

[@peterw3474]

You guys rock, so many clever people coming at this problem from so many different angles I'm sure something will stick :)

[@LeCharles07]

Why is it pink?

[@joesmith-nr6tc]

Great video Cleo! Thank you! Hello @HelionEnergy! Amazing tech. Godspeed! I'm curious what your take is on "climate change"? I suspect your probably "all-in" for obvious reasons. I ask bc despite it's near ubiquity these days, there appears to be a number of fundamental problems with the theory - esp. regarding carbon dioxide. The true answers to a few questions provide what anyone interested should know about CO2/Earth climate; what was the maximum CO2 level in the past? What is the "ideal" CO2 level for plants? What is the minimum CO2 level for plants? The current CO2 level in relation to the "true answers" to those questions tells everything one needs to know about what "the consensus" believes causes climate change. I encourage anyone interested to repeat the process. It's well worth it. Very enlightening! PS, I say "true answers to a few questions" bc the BS is everywhere! From all sides of the debate. The politics attached to this issue are pathetic and sad.

[@ryanm9513]

Cleo has said that one of the goals of her channel is to give people informed reasons for hope and optimism. Watching her learn how to say “nuclear proliferation” made me feel like anyone can do anything. (Also, Simone is the best, can’t wait for the build.)

[@keshavjha8482]

I'm the first to comment on how fantastic Cleo's vids are becoming. I really appreciate your hard work and dedication.

[@CleoAbram]

thank you!! I really appreciate it. I love making them, and there's so much more we can do.

[@dhruvdijudeyanandan8808]

Very informative, definitely subscribing

[@tylerismyname]

I just came across your channel about a week ago and WOW your videos are genuinely so amazing. The pacing, the storytelling, the editing, everything. It feels somehow both incredibly professional and conversational at the same time. Can't wait to see where you take this channel!

[@TheFoxstrider]

Hey, I’m a PhD student at the uk’s national lab for fusion. Just wanted to say that this is a really good introductory video to fusion and explains very difficult concepts well in a short space of time

[@medisch]

This is so great! I really enjoyed watching two of the biggest nerds I follow online geek out together ☺️

[@leondexter9800]

Shame on the KZbin algorithm for taking until today to let me know Cleo had her own channel! Great video, informative, entertaining, and flows nicely through the facets of the topic. I'm looking forward to digging into the rest of them!

[@yaskynemma9220]

Ok, now I can't wait to see part 2, I loved this video, your organization of the parts and editing. The subject is very interesting and I hope you are having a lot of fun with the building with Simone. You two are awesome

[@n.kutalia]

I love your way of storytelling, Cleo. Keep on doing what you do

[@tds456]

The editing flow you have, where you jump out of the frame to the editor and explain things - I really really like it. You always seem to manage to do it at times to explain the stuff that I'm thinking. Also it is great to see some underlying themes from the channel show through on different videos. You mentioned about the possibilities of having unlimited energy back in your clean energy video and the idea of reducing being mis-stated. I'm really looking forward to seeing the video in another 6 months and where things might lead.

[@ashwanisingh6759]

Obviously the video was good, the way you tell story, all the editing and the play with camera that's all amazing. The topic was little blurred but I guess waiting for part 2 will be worth it.

[@johndarkification]

Great channel and content. Looking forward to part 2.

[@Hall_0]

Great video as always. Especially love the editing style - the inclusion of the actual premiere files as a transition is a cool additional. Goes a long way to show the transparency and authenticity you show through the wider process.

[@PeachyFlyFishing]

I've just discovered your channel, it's fantastic! Thank you, the world needs more creators like you. :)

[@5000nathan]

As someone who has been working in this field for some time now, its nice to see one of the creators I follow doing a video about it! Fusion is hard but the recent batch of experimental results gives me hope.

[@ArleyChannel]

The quality of your videos gets better and better everytime! I'm loving it! The writing, the editing, the animations, you're killing it!

[@hari20001]

Congrats on the explanation, I loved this 101 on fusion. Thank you! Some of the issues that fusion systems are experiencing are how to overcome the great complexity of engineering challenges required to maintain a running fusion system. The systems being developed now only last for a very small blip of a second. I believe the more experiments we can do on a smaller scale (just as you did) the greater the ingenuity we can throw at the engineering difficulties of constructing a running fusion system and the faster we can achieve a sustainable outcome. Build small fusion kits in many Labs and Unis. Start playing with our ingenuity in problem-solving and experimenting faster. Unleash our most powerful weapon; a network of minds. Something we need to remember is that having the culture to play with ideas and methods is just as powerful in problem-solving as building a massive methodical laboratory process.

[@khai.attack]

This channel is fantastic! I wish I had heard of it before! Thanks Simone for bringing me here, I always go to KZbin to laugh at something, but you two are making me smarter by all means 😂😂😂

[@mdbizzarri]

You have some great ideas that I love seeing, and the talents and skills to tell a compelling story. I really appreciate you even showing your mistakes in a funny way. I can't wait to see part two!

[@vikranttyagiRN]

More collabs like these with Simone please. This was awesome. Two of you are really great at what you do.

[@makasii]

Ladies, you are just amazing and your contents are addictively well made!!!!!!!

[@stevenlmendeziialphaone3975]

You guys are so awesome!!! I originally wrote a long drawn out explanation of the many ways you did that, but after reading YOUR AWSOME sums it. Please keep up the great work and I look forward to seeing more great things from you two in the future

[@afek841]

Truly inspiring and intuitively conveying information. It's also amazing seeing the video quality and Polishness (no idea if that's a word) ramping up over the past year.

[@yeetdeets]

You should look into deep geothermal. It holds 90% as much promise for cheap electricity, but it's relatively simple tech and only a couple of years away. It doesn't get enough press, I don't know why.

[@Canucklug]

The potential answer to deep geothermal is ironically a fusion technology that uses the super powered microwave system used for heating plasma to drill in the deep layers. Large scale test in 2024 by Quaise Energy!

[@FGDataPotential]

Hi Cleo I work for an R&D center in Mexico. I'm really impressed for your communication ability to describe Physics fundamentals with ease. Many thanks! I'm your fan now.

[@brentbonham9427]

Really love your channel and the fascinating and uplifting content you bring. Thank you.

[@alexbanks9510]

The colab we all wanted but don't deserve

[@chrislanejones]

KZbin colabs are the best... I only binge watch KZbin.

[@magicvibrations5180]

It's crazy that the main caveat of not getting more energy out than we put in has already been solved just two months after this video was posted

[@RedaKadem]

By who?

[@magicvibrations5180]

@@RedaKadem The US department of energy and the National Nuclear Security Administration at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

[@shirshajitsingha7567]

@@magicvibrations5180 well, it's still tentative. For actual practical use, it still needs to be about a 100 times more efficient and we need to be able to reproduce it at a much faster rate, but we're getting there!

[@ct1762]

@@shirshajitsingha7567 not even close. 300 units in, 3 out. sounds like a giant gulf to me.

[@helgefan8994]

@@magicvibrations5180 Magnetic confinement reactors (tokamaks and stellarators) are much closer to commercial power generation though. The DEMO reactor planned to be built after ITER will most likely already be able to actually put power into the grid.

[@SciTechGeeked]

I just found your channel and I have to say, brilliant explanation with so crisp editing, looking forward to see more from you!

[@paulocoelho558]

I really had the felling that with this video I am not a step ahead but a step backwards it doesn't bring me nothing new but maybe it's good for a younger audience... but Simone is great! She explains well and she built a chair for dogs that always want to sit next to us!? Fantastic! That's really cool I subscribed her channel!! Thank you Simone! 🙂🙂

[@MrMattie725]

Great video! But don't do clickbait like that... By that standard I also tried to build a fusion reactor in my kitchen. I just happened to have five extra packages missing.

[@christianschmitt2409]

I really love how cleo goes entirely against the masses here saying "hey, the problem is not using too much energy, it is having too little". It's something I have believed in for a long time, and I am not alone with this.

[@morkovija]

kardashev scale my man, the one true measurement stick for civilization ;)

[@snizami]

It's magical thinking though. The lack of time and resources we have makes it so that we can't just innovate and consume our way out. Fusion is actually a good example of something that's theoretically possible but may very well not be applicable or scalable to help much. It's why believers have to rely on erroneous fluffy notions like, 'we did other electricity stuff before.'

[@christianschmitt2409]

@@snizami I'm with you on Fusion not being a thing. It's often hard for me to understand cleo's optimism, but she geht's some fore Points right.

[@snizami]

@@christianschmitt2409 it's just a very troublesome kind of optimism to have when facing such a crisis. The 'Don't Look Up' kind. I think the video that started it all is an even better example. Recall the example of adding insulation vs having abundant energy such that we won't even need to insulate. Insulation is a known, practical, lasting solution that effectively acts at least as well as adding extra energy to the equation. Why! Why undermine realistic and urgent mitigating requirements with mirage like hopes of abundant energy just over the horizon? The polished graphics presented by a skillful and seemingly well meaning person makes it all the more worrying.

[@christianschmitt2409]

@@snizami that's a good point. Not adding insulation would be rather stupid. however, having abundant energy doesn't have to stop us from doing that. Energy will still not be free. and I totally see optimism being dangerous in this time. at any time, really.

[@dranasin]

These are such amazing videos!! Thank you for all of the work you out into them

[@imj120]

Here we go : proliferation /prəlɪfəˈreɪʃn/

[@gert5303]

Your edit style is so fricking satisfying. And cool to see you and Simone collab! Subscribed!

[@sameer5884]

The quantity of videos are just 📈📈📈

[@SaveMoneySavethePlanet]

I’m 100% behind continuing to research fusion reactors. Just not at the cost of slowing down our deployment of other tech like solar and wind. Like you said in the video, it feels like fusion has “almost been a thing” for a long time. There’s just too much risk that we never really manage to get it to work so we shouldn’t put all our eggs in that basket.

[@krupert8355]

This is the first time I come across your channel. I just want to say that I really enjoy your channel and unique creative and narrative style. It's also great to see women sharing their passion for science :) Thank you, I learned a lot.

[@aam50]

I love your communication style which fits so nicely with Simone as well. Great video and I’m looking forward to Part 2.

[@TE_-.-]

ITER is a test reactor in France which may show that it can produce more energy than it consumes in fusion. You could add that in Part 2. Although we are at the beginning of a long journey, there are already reactors that can produce a Plasma. 😁

[@CocainAndCrackBlowinTheHaze]

Dont try this at home!

[@aadpiraat7126]

Buuut moooom

[@leeroyhibbs]

Wow! The production value and creativity of the edit are leading. Congrats and you've got me hooked for part 2.

[@sneakers_guy5488]

Jeeez you do some really cool stuff with this channel Cleo, tbh it's really motivating to push myself in my own way to do something cool

[@MarsBar_]

This is such a clear, well explained video. I feel like I understand so much more about the topic than before and feel way more excited about the future of fusion!

[@joeymcrae2079]

Woahhh that was inspiring! Amazing work Cleo, can't wait to see what you and Simone make

[@peterw3474]

Love the video, kinda wish you had mentioned ITER as this is the experiment that will tell us if tokamak reactors can work at scale as a power plant. Maybe your friendly ceo asked you not to as that's a competing technology. Perfectly understandable if so! Loved to see that stellerator picture too!

[@AlexLectures]

Love your videos, Cleo. Keep up the good work!

[@marinelipartia1524]

Love the topic you choose, it is reaaly unique how you try to find the topics that is important and futuristic! Keep going! ♥️

[@AClown]

Great video glad I found your channel through Simone. Excited for part 2

[@Intrepidinnovation]

One of my favorite channels. This channel delivers information in a fun way to receive it.

[@cab2100]

Your videos are always so much fun to watch!!

[@xWood4000]

This video is so great! Thank you for talking about fusion and making it understandable for everyday people.

[@markfrellips5633]

I love the organization and integration of the editing timeline into the video to help navigate the narrative

[@Zonker66]

I absolutely LOVE that ad timer in the upper left that tells us what you're saying is an ad. Wish everyone did that on KZbin... much respect for you.

[@bellybutthole69]

Genuine question that many haves and great explanation along the way. 10/10 ! Can't wait for part 2 !!

[@adiboy_223]

This was by far the best edited video! Hahaha it was so much fun to watch it!

[@dorank86]

Well this is my first time coming across this channel so congratulations to the algorithm, I’m in, I’m hooked, what’s next!!!!

[@NikolasPulka]

Really great video and interesting topic, the duo works well ! And also great to see two really smart and talented women on KZbin talking about important science topics, we need more of this. Keep the good work !

[@adamross2256]

The choice to show the editing software, and zip in and out of the frames was brilliant. Gives an interesting connection to the video.

[@CutiePi]

Your excitement for science and progress is contagious. Keep making great videos 👌

[@ANAKCreates]

So great having you 2 in a video haha I loved that so much, what a treat!!! 2 of my favs!!! :D Aweosme video, this is great! So helpful and informative!!

[@Volumunox]

Great video Cleo, looking forward to part 2.

[@almosh3271]

You two are so cool and so crazy beyond words. I so LOVE it. Keep up the good work.

[@angadh4054]

This video was so unique, I was hooked from the start. I even watched the ad. Never skipped a part. Subbed 👍

[@SpeedDemonReacts]

I had to stop by and just mention I’m in shock with the immense amount of detail and effort that goes into your videos and post editing! So elaborate and entertaining! I even watch through your sponsors 😂😂

[@ChristopherSavoie]

My jaw has been open throughout this whole video. This is such engaging content. I'm enthralled. Great job!

[@kedaruss]

What a great episode. My expectation was to see you building the reactor but this was way better.

[@karthickshankar1527]

1st time visiting your channel. Your editing is so awesome you earned 1 more subscriber.

[@johnkelly7264]

Love watching stuff that I know nothing about... sort of gives the brain a wake up punch. Thank you. Subbed here.

[@stevencroft2550]

This was by far the best explanation I have seen for anything in my life. Great job!

[@atrumluminarium]

Small correction, in a plasma the neutrons and protons don't separate. It's just the electrons that stop orbiting the nucleus

[@soushankumar6842]

I have recently found your channel, and can't stop watching all the contents because they are so good...❤❤❤

[@dudea3378]

Bruh, how is it you just started and every video slaps? Great content, keep it up!

[@nithinmuraleedharan9367]

Absolutely brilliant. Keep up the incredible work Cleo 👍👍

[@KevinTurner-aka-keturn]

An interesting project and what a wonderful duo! I'm looking forward to seeing more from you two. After you've got fusion figured out, can you do a bioreactor next? The carbon-capturing kind? Thanks!

[@aryanjaiswal3110]

Cleo you already came a long way so excited for your future adventures 😁

[@onedaya_martian1238]

Only one word that is appropriate to describe: the topic, the presentation, the production value, the generation of excitement, etc. --> AWESOME !! Subscribed for more !!!

[@FirestormX9]

This was an awesome episode, can't wait for part 2!

Congratulations Cleo! You got me with this video. Thanks and keep going!

[@jeevesus]

Really love your videos Cloe. Thank you!

[@Artaxo]

KZbin recommended this video coming from Sabine Hossenfelder's video about cold fusion and I clicked because I saw Simone and thought it was her video, but this was the happiest accident! Loved the video, subscribed and will be exploring your channel now

[@MrGaborKukucska]

Great work Cleo and team 👏 👍 👌 Can't wait to see the build 🙌

[@TheMsLourdes]

So psyched! Looking forward to Part 2!

[@saadamansayyed]

Really great episode! Also, thanks Cleo for introducing me to a great KZbinr in Simone!

[@calebpoemoceah3087]

Sublimation skips a phase change when you add more energy . Love seeing new people get involved, and build something cool .

[@kalrandom7387]

I caught one of your short videos, you do a good job. So for what it matters you've got a new sub. Stay curious.

[@BrazenNL]

This channel is such a gem.

[@will2see]

13:32 - That's a very good point and I am glad your friend mentioned it.

[@Dsschuh]

I watched a video about Helion’s fusion project a few weeks ago and now this project is like the icing on the cake! To watch two smart people do something they haven’t done before!

[@JanBaars]

I'm so happy your first collab is with Simone!!!

[@iveharzing]

Can't wait to see you and Simone build an Electric Field confinement Fusion Reactor! Because that's the only easy way to do Fusion, where you just make a very strong spherical electric field, and all the charged particles oscillate back and forth between the walls and collide with each other in the center. It just takes _WAY_ more energy to run it compared to the output, but it's a very good neutron source! (be careful with the radiation please) (I just started with my Master's in "Science & Technology of Nuclear Fusion" :) )

[@jessicasq2328]

Plasma physics PhD student here! I LOVED THIS VIDEO! Thank you for shedding light on fusion research :) Good Luck!

[@odw32]

There's often some cynicism when people build "garage fusors", maybe in part because it's often linked to slightly overhyped articles about "genius teens". However -- too many people think that the goal of hobby engineering projects is to end up with an original invention, or a functional product. The important bit is the knowledge, the skills, the insights gained along the way! Projects like these inspire people to learn more about physics, visit makerspaces, work on their own projects, or even convince kids to get STEM degrees, which is a major win!

[@PeterBoardman1]

Pro-lif-er-a-tion! Love that you girls are collaborating finally! Keep up the great work!

[@dillonlamb8588]

Cant wait for part 2! Would love to know where the future is on storing all this energy. Better batteries are something i cant look forward to enough.

[@Benjamin-101]

Love your new work so much. I've watched tons of videos about fusion, and this one still answered some core questions that were hard to find in others, like smashing prolifratation vs. smooshing prolifereration (I still wonder, would perfecting fusion make fusion bombs more effective? Is it possible to make a fusion explosion that would be self-sustaining and swallow the Earth? That would suck, I often live there). Anyway, such a good video, even liked the ad-the countdown and the delivery, didn't even bother skipping. Sorry for stealing your reactor parts, I need them for my space ship ;(

[@ps.2]

Don't worry: a fusion reaction cannot sustain itself here because the conditions for it to happen at all are so extreme. Yes, it's sustained in stars like the Sun, but I can think of 3 good reasons not to worry: *1. Confinement.* There's a _reason_ they figured out sustained fission power in just a few years, but now 70+ years later, practical fusion power is still nowhere in sight. The atoms need to be held _very_ close together and _very_ hot for any of them to fuse, and no known container material can withstand those conditions for even milliseconds. It simply can't happen by accident, except in stars, where it happens because of their _immense_ gravity. *2. Speed.* And that said, stars actually fuse their atoms extremely slowly. The reason they produce so much energy is because they're so huge. A similar rate of fusion on earth would be quite unimpressive. *3. Materials.* You can fuse any elements if you have extreme enough conditions, but it's basically beyond our reach to fuse any but the lightest elements. And even for those, as Cleo alluded to, the easiest way to make fusion happen is with very rare isotopes like helium-3, hydrogen-2, and hydrogen-3 (³He and ²H are very rare, and ³H basically can't be found in nature at all - we manufacture it with other nuclear reactions). Fusing anything else, like boron-11 (which _is_ pretty common), is at least an order of magnitude harder. Maybe eventually we'll get something like the planet-melting MD Device in _Ender's Game,_ but nothing imaginable from fusion research can plausibly get us there.