48 seconds. I predict a glut of helium. balloons for everyone

  • ColeSloth@discuss.tchncs.de
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    27
    ·
    8 months ago

    Last one I read about is just constantly and very quickly (far quicker than human abilities) adjust the magnetic field around the plasma in order to keep it stable and in place. They’ve been (or at least one team was) using AI to go over data and control and predict the field adjustments, because only reacting after the plasma starts to move hasn’t been quick enough.

    • RubberElectrons@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      6
      ·
      8 months ago

      Yes, that’d be TAE technologies.

      The algorithm was called the optometrist, it was paired with a human operator to more quickly converge on the correct settings for stable plasma by having the machine randomly tweak various meta-parameters, while the human would generally decide whether the current settings were “better” or “worse” than the previous pulse.

      • Maco1969@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        2
        ·
        7 months ago

        I wonder if there isn’t a stable chamber shape that promotes turbulence in a controlled manner in order to prevent it getting out of hand? A little bit like the dimples on a golf ball create micro pockets of turbulence promoting laminar flow.

        • RubberElectrons@lemmy.world
          link
          fedilink
          arrow-up
          1
          ·
          edit-2
          7 months ago

          Unknown. There were attempts into that general idea, one of them is the polywell, but I don’t know too much about it.