World’s first steam-powered piston system sparks nuclear fusion plasma in Canada | A single MTF power plant can supply power to 150,000 homes while being close to energy demand and minimizing transmission losses.

https://interestingengineering.com/energy/steam-driven-nuclear-fusion-reactor

created by chrisdh79 on 12/03/2025 at 13:19 UTC

577 upvotes, 11 top-level comments (showing 11)

Comments

Comment by BigButtBeads at 12/03/2025 at 13:27 UTC

1 upvotes, 3 direct replies

If anyone's wondering, transmission losses are the residual heat from the flow of current across long distances

Current squared times resistance

The reason transmission towers are such high voltage, 500k volts for example, is to reduce current and therefore reduce transmission losses. Having generators nearer the homes and factories makes them more efficient

Comment by _Echoes_ at 12/03/2025 at 13:27 UTC

1 upvotes, 5 direct replies

Hope we crack it, would be the first Canadian discovery of the 21st century on par with insulin.

Comment by LyloAndHyde at 12/03/2025 at 14:23 UTC

1 upvotes, 3 direct replies

If this technology becomes viable, Canada should invest in it and prevent American involvement. This technology should be kept in Canadian control given the bold and continued American threats of annexation of Canada. Even if the American government changes for the better in future it is apparent that they will always be an opportunistic and predatory empire.

Comment by TheOtherwise_Flow at 12/03/2025 at 13:27 UTC

1 upvotes, 3 direct replies

I thought steam turbine was the most efficient way to utilize steam up to 90%

Comment by Euphoric_Chemist_462 at 12/03/2025 at 16:19 UTC

1 upvotes, 0 direct replies

Not to discourage the progress but this company has been publishing the same article every year for past 10 years+.

Comment by Raptor-Claus at 12/03/2025 at 16:39 UTC

1 upvotes, 0 direct replies

This it the best thing to happen in a long time and needs to be funded to the max.

Comment by Kerrby87 at 12/03/2025 at 15:37 UTC

1 upvotes, 0 direct replies

I remember first hearing about this company in high school, so more than 20 years ago now. Glad to see they're still making progress. On a surface level, it always seemed like a good way to go to me.

Comment by Odd-Perception7812 at 12/03/2025 at 16:46 UTC

1 upvotes, 0 direct replies

Can you more knowledgeable scientists help bring me up to speed on if this and what just happened in France, is related to the creation of the long-fabled cold fusion?

Comment by CaligulaQC at 12/03/2025 at 18:49 UTC

1 upvotes, 0 direct replies

Let’s build those MoTherFucker power plants!

Comment by Youpunyhumans at 12/03/2025 at 20:34 UTC

1 upvotes, 0 direct replies

Sounds kinda similar to how an internal combustion engine works lol. Mr. Fusion anytime soon then?

Comment by Narrow-Sky-5377 at 12/03/2025 at 13:55 UTC

1 upvotes, 2 direct replies

"World’s first steam-powered piston system"

Antique locomotives have left the chat.

"When heated, water turns to an invisible vapor known as steam. The volume of water expands as it turns to steam inside the boiler, creating a high pressure. The expansion of steam pushes the pistons that connect to the driving wheels that operate the locomotive."