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Khourieat t1_isov7ap wrote

Reply to comment by j-random in TIL Liquid Helium is the perfect element to keep the superconductive magnets in MRI machines cold by Alternative-Leg1095

The technology is just 20 years away!

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Garlien t1_isp6ov5 wrote

We already know how to fuse helium, just not in an energy-producing way. If we were willing to accept the energy cost, we could fuse enough to keep essential systems such as MRIs online.

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Khourieat t1_ispbq38 wrote

That doesn't seem like it'd address the cost concern, which is the only concern...

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Garlien t1_ispn6tw wrote

If we literally run out of helium, an inefficient fusion reactor would likely be more cost efficient than mining it from outer space.

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Efficient-Library792 t1_isqsgf9 wrote

I think you underestimate what it costs to run even an energy neutral fusion plant. There are a few around the world and they cost 10 figures to build and probably 8 to run. Amd they likely produce tiny amounts of helium

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r4tch3t_ t1_isr2pei wrote

It used to be always 50 years away, the progress in the last few of decades has indeed shifted the time line to a perpetual 20 years now. Hopefully in the next decade or 2 we can get that down to a perpetual 10 years!

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EdofBorg t1_isp9s2i wrote

Redditors like you to put a /s after sarcasm.

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VolkspanzerIsME t1_ispatif wrote

If it's well written sarcasm the /s shouldn't be necessary.

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EdofBorg t1_issqx51 wrote

In today's Dunning-Kruger environment it is difficult to know if someone is being sarcastic or are just genuinely dumb as a post.

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