http://jkarlmargaritis.wix.com/fusa (1) The Issue
MIT’s Plasma Science and Fusion Center (PSFC) is one of the leading university research laboratories in nuclear fusion. Home to PSFC, Alcator C-Mod is in many respects the most advanced fusion reactor in the US. C-Mod is absolutely essential to the domestic effort to develop clean and sustainable energy from nuclear fusion. (Learn more about the P
SFC and C-Mod at: http://www.psfc.mit.edu/research/alcator/intro/info.html)
The President’s 2013 budget request imposes a 16% cut on federal funding to domestic fusion research, effectively gutting C-Mod. The loss of C-Mod will hurt education, cost jobs in Massachusetts, damage propensities to develop clean and sustainable energy, perpetuate dangerous nuclear waste, and opposes US national security interests. We cannot afford to lose Alcator C-Mod!
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(2) What is FUSA? The Center for Fusion Science Advancement (FUSA) is a Boston-based group, campaigning for sustained funding to Alcator C-Mod. Its organizational goals include:
1) To educate the public in the importance of domestic fusion research.
2) To increase public and media interest in domestic fusion research.
3) To generate a strong support base on Capitol Hill.
4) Ultimately, sustain funding to C-Mod. With your help, we'll foster the clean energy future of America. FUSA Home Site: http://jkarlmargaritis.wix.com/fusa
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(3) Why Alcator C-Mod? On Education-
Alcator C-Mod hosts the largest public education and outreach program of any other fusion reactor in the US. It is the largest training facility for fusion scientists, home to approximately 30 graduate students who help in the everyday operation of C-Mod.. Gutting Alcator C-Mod means depriving some of America's best and brightest students - potential scientists, technologists, and innovators - of the resources necessary to succeed. (Read more: http://www.fusionfuture.org/what-is-alcator-c-mod/c-mod-for-education-2/)
On Jobs-
Alcator C-Mod is responsible for over 300 technical and non-technical jobs across the US. It supports both the local and national economy. C-Mod directly employs 120 personnel and indirectly employs 200 personnel. Furthermore, previous members of the PSFC have founded over 36 spin-off companies, employing over 1,400 individuals in high-tech areas. If C-Mod is slashed, hundreds of people will lose their jobs. It will force America's fusion experts to seek work in other countries where fusion research is properly funded (i.e. (Read more: http://www.fusionfuture.org/what-is-alcator-c-mod/c-mod-for-jobs/)
On Investment and Return -
C-Mod is the only high field, compact, high performance divertor tokamak in the world, one of three magnetic confinement fusion reactors in the US. Only C-Mod is capable of fulfilling critical development tasks and research.
Scientists at the PSFC say the "loss of Alcator C-Mod would cripple the US’s ability to make" any real contribution to ITER (the international fusion program in France). Also, without a strong domestic fusion program, the US will not benefit from its investments in ITER and other fusion programs. "In order to ensure that ITER is a success, in order to ensure that the US is a leader in burning plasma physics, and in order to ensure that the US is a leader in fusion energy development, the US must retain a vibrant and competitive domestic fusion program," (Fusion Future). (Read more: http://www.fusionfuture.org/what-is-alcator-c-mod/c-mod-for-energy/)
On the Benefits of Fusion Energy-
Nuclear fission is an atomic chain reaction that generates energy. Nuclear power plants today use fission. Although effective, fission energy can be wildly dangerous.
Historically, malfunctions and vulnerabilities in fission reactors have cost thousands of lives (i.e. Three Miles Island). The associated risks include terrorism and fatal nuclear meltdowns. Also, nuclear fission produces long-lived radioactive waste or "spent fuel." These materials are toxic, requiring constant surveillance and isolated storage for thousands of years. In 2012, nuclear materials and waste safety cost the tax payers a whopping $226.5 billion. Comparatively, the domestic fusion program currently receives $248 million. In 2012, C-Mod received a mere $18 million, only to be slashed in the FY2013 budget plan. Nuclear fusion is the golden counterpart to nuclear fission. It boasts the same benefits, without the costs:
1) A fusion reactor does not consume dangerous radioactive materials. In fact, it runs on isotopes of hydrogen (deuterium and tritium), the most abundant element on the planet.
2) There is virtually no risk of terrorism with fusion. Also, fusion reactors cannot "meltdown." In fact, in the event of an attack or malfunction, a fusion reactor can simply turn-off. This inherent safeguard averts life-threatening situations, unlike nuclear fission reactors.
3) Spent fuel from fusion is short-lived. Thus, fusion only requires short-term storage facilities. Fusion will help resolve the problems associated with spent nuclear fuel.
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For more information on the issue, check out Geoff Olynk's article on The Tech: http://tech.mit.edu/V132/N9/olynyk.html. Visit FUSA's Homage at: http://jkarlmargaritis.wix.com/fusa
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