why hasn't this man been killed by the perolium companies. or the government, people who have money and power now, would loose everything if this becomes a reality.p somebody, for the love of god get this man a bodyguard. I know for a fact Kevin Costners avaliable.
Hes makes it sound like Thorium is the solution to a clean enviorment. But there is probably some defects with it that we doesnt know about yet. Still, sounds better than Uranium.
@MrLachupakabra A Liquid Fluoride Thorium Reactor can run at a high enough temperature that air cooling can cause a big enough change in the temperature of the coolant (delta T) so that water is necessary for cooling. This is good for locations away from water.
thorium isnt a renewable resource though so this isnt gonna work forever, even though it seems to be a much better technique than the current uranium reactors
@sensesfail70 Well it has been estimated that a LFTR could provide thousands of years of energy from known thorium reserves. The amount of energy released from such a small amount of thorium is so great that a golf ball size amount of thorium could provide your energy needs for your entire life.
@johnberrynix all right, thanks for your response! I don't know much about this area, but it sounds interesting even though I am convinced that we can support the whole world's population's energy need through solar, tidal, wind, geo and hydropower. :)
@sensesfail70 Solar, tidal, wind, geo and hydropower are site specific and variable. LFTR can go anywhere and runs 24/7/365. The reactors would be built assembly line style so the cost would also be much less.
@sensesfail70 Any source of energy is finite taken from a universes perspective thus its kinda of a mute point the question is however the efficiency (economic and power generation) and availability of the energy sources that matters.
@sensesfail70 well.... it's safer, less expensive, and more abundant than uranium, not to mention through a simpler process than that of uranium, the bi-products of a thorium reaction do not include plutonium, like uranium does; limiting the amount of fissile material for nuclear proliferation. ~I'm no expert, but that's what I gotten out of a couple days of research on the internet.
The Department of Energy grants hundreds of millions of dollars per year in research and development of alternative energy systems. If looking for funding, this would be the best place to start. Either that or contact Sandia National Laboratories and get them started with this project.
Having dabbled in the field of alternative energy for over 20 years (I have two patents in the field), I know that implementing such systems in society is always the hardest part.
@carrierjunkie It is fission of uranium-233 which is what thorium-232 breeds
The beauty is in the molten salt. It can run hotter but at atmospheric pressure so safety concerns can be hugely reduced. Also, hydrogen gas cannot be produced since there is no water being destroyed by radiation. This as well as the fact that no combustibles are produced greatly reduce the chance of any sort of explosion to disperse radioactive particles.
@johnberrynix Wait, what do you mean by "It is fission of uranium-233 which is what thorium-232 breeds" I don't understand. Where did any sort of breeding come into this?
And you don't need to go into the advantages of thorium, the video covered it. I just want the mechanics that these advantages are derived from.
@johnberrynix Okay, I get it. Thorium is not fissle, but becomes uranium 233 if it absorbs enough neutrons, uranium 233 being fissle. Why didn't you say that before?
@carrierjunkie Thorium-232 captures a neutron and becomes Th-233. This then beta decays to Protactinium-233 which in turn beta decays to Uranium-233. Uranium-233 can then capture another neutron and fission, producing 2 to 3 new neutrons. These new neutrons will go on to fission other uranium-233 atoms or be absorbed by another Th-232 atom. The cycle continues this way producing massive amounts of heat from the fission of uranium-233.
@johnberrynix and not to forget the Pa233 has a half life of 27 days and which has a 5X neutron capture ratio of Th232 and turns to Pa232 with about a 1.3 day half life with a 10 times Th232 neutron capture ratio and which then decays to U232 making the production of weapons grade U233 highly unlikely With all that Pa running around sux up alot of neutrons so they lower the flux to lower the effective capture ratio's
@Traxxasred They aren't using sodium but fluoride Sodium will blow up if it see a water molecule Fluoride they use in Flibe will only combine with the radioactive materials and freezes at room temps so if the Flibe gets out it ain't going no where
This is not the first time thorium has been suggested as a power source. There is a lot of suspicion that nuclear power was promoted in the 50s, using uranium, because the waste products can be used to make more bombs than the waste from thorium.
He covered incredible ground in 10:03! He didn't ignore waste at all- on the contrary. Watch again and learn. From their website: "So-called “nuclear waste” or spent-nuclear fuel is produced in conventional (solid-core) nuclear reactors because they are unable to extract all of the nuclear energy from their fuel before they have to shutdown. LFTR addresses this issue by using a form of nuclear fuel ... that allow complete extraction of nuclear energy from the fuel."
@chanell1351 It can actually go farther than that, and put the nuclear waste from solid reactors into the LFTR and burn it up so we no longer need the containment facilities.
@markthe5hark8 Because there is little to no waste whatsoever. Maybe some leftover graphite that would have small amounts of radiation residuely. If no other option, graphite can be safely burned in certain circumstances, completely eradicating any waste.
Didn't Clive Cussler write a book featuring this? Anyway, they've already got SHITLOADS of different energy sources hidden from us, for 'our protection'. Gorgeous lot, aren't they?
A thorium powered economy would destroy the economy. All those jobs moving all that uranium and fossil fuels, gone. All those jobs at coal and uranium power plants, gone. Every millionaire bigshot that owns a portion of the oil industry, controls the politics of the US, and lives off of your hardwork, gone.
Face it. We aren't going to see anything good for a loooooong while.
A Thorium plant would literally knock out the chance for total meltdown as the material it uses is not like radioactive uranium. It is human stupidity, NOT the technology that is at fault.
Fukushima happened because it was build to withstand a wave only 17 feet high, when the tsunami that struck it was 3 times as high. The Generators (backups) were highly exposed and at a low elevation, so they were easily destroyed. Note that it was also near the ocean...
One Thorium plant can supply an entire city with energy and have some left over, in fact, it was estimated that we would need only 400 NEW plants total to reduce our foreign fossil fuel imports to a laughable amount.
the 104 plants we have now are all aging and will be retired, we MUST build these new thorium plants, it's essential.
Nuclear power can "backload" energy, which NO renewable can, nuclear runs 24/7 365 without halting, something renewable CANNOT do
The problem with Wind/Solar/Hydro is that it is totally dependent on localized forces, whereas nuclear is freed from these constraints. Wind currents change, Solar power can only be generated (at max capacity) during peak daylight hours (which change drastically depending on your location on earth from the equator).
Hydro destroys natural environments, just look at the Colorado River basin, though it is the most viable of the three. Wind turbines get in the way and need massive amountsof room
Uneducated soul, air conditioning is the transfer of heat by work of electricity in a heat pump. It's about transferring excess heat from one spot to a spot where it needs the heat.
air conditioning, ppl don't need that. that's more heat lost. they need community centers to cool down in other ways. AC is too much energy, not good for the body.
One reason we are not using thorium is that it does not produce or involve materials to produce nuclear bombs. Another reason is that it would end the means by which US dollar hegemony is maintained - i.e. the oil economy. Remember what Kissinger said, "If you control the oil you control the country; if you control food, you control the population." It is all about control and population reduction. Read the National Security Memo 200 written in the early 70's and declassified in 1989.
@silverman49 Stop thinking in terms of secret agendas and start thinking in terms of cash. The US does not control crude, therefore it would have no problem 'switching.' It just takes one enterprising and very rich person to make it happen.
The problem is this: If you're rich you take less risks. This is risky because it has not been proven to work explicitly.
the problem is we'll eventually run dry on thorium. and with changing technology now and in the future, especially with a new energy source and the possibilities it presents, it could happen sooner than later. we'll face new and different energy crisis. one has to think of the implications.
but, let's face it, we're creatures of habit. we won't even switch from the qwerty keyboard to dvorak or other layouts. use of fossil fuels is a millennial old habit, and likely wont change anytime soon.
@mikaelgruner we also have quite a bit of oil and natural gas, but here we are fighting over the sources as if we're gonna run out in the next year. this crisis isn't just about just burning fossil fuels, but the economic and political complications when someone (e.g. foreign nations, enemies, etc.)has more than you. you don't have to have literally 'run dry' without feeling the effects of having 'run dry'.we could use thorium for a long while, but another crisis will likely occur.
@emeraldeyes55 the problem with your idiotic argument is that everything will "eventually run dry." but fossil fuel comes from decomposed plants, and therefore it probably only exists on earth; thorium is a naturally occuring chemical element that can be found in the outer space as well. right now our nuclear power generating process is very inefficient. in time we'll be able to generate nuclear power very efficiently. there is every reason to switch to thorium.
@BabyEater9000 and whats your problem? i was just giving a general comment on the subject that i felt someone might want answered, if not me, since many of us aren't scientists. i wasn't being rude, insulting, or or an overall pain. i love this idea; i think it should be looked into. want to give an educated opinion with facts, feel free. but there's no need for you to start throwing insults for no reason. all it does is make you look like an ass.
@BabyEater9000 see? you continue with further insults for no reason. i wasn't even commenting on the subject of this video in reply to you, but of wanting to know what your deal was, so your need to use expletives and claiming i have serial ignorance is both unfounded and false. i never said anything against your facts, i read them clearly the first time i read them. all i was commenting to you was just that you came off as an asshole, and thank you so very much for proving it.
@emeraldeyes55 i'm sorry, i keep deleting and re-writing my comments but my mind won't let me not use expletives in response to your serial ignorance. in the meanwhile, please feel free to re-read my comments to truly see if i said anything other than facts. google is your friend.
@BabyEater9000 your ignorance in what i'm saying is truly astounding to me. and since you're so obviously ignorant that your mind was affected in your (obviously) failed attempt to amass and use expletives, let me say, google is your friend.now, since there is a tiny chance that you're not a complete prick whose only qualities ran down the crack of his mother's ass and ended up as a brown stain on the sheets, but instead an annoying troll, i'm going to just ignore any/all replies.
@emeraldeyes55 seeing that you're not going to figure it out yourself, i'll spell it out for you once more. your contribution to this topic is useless, and the question you posed is stupid. thorium eventually running out is the last of our worries. energy use will increase, but so will efficiency. eventually running out of thorium is never not a problem, but it's a very insignificant one. there are valid concerns on widespread use of thorium reactor, none of which you mentioned.
@emeraldeyes55 and what's that with your arbitrary comment about brown stain on bedsheets? is that supposed to insult me? instead try issuing valid rebuttals. i don't care for generic insults. sure, i'm not very polite, but it's being as dim as you are is much worse than occasionally getting pissed at dimwits.
So.... USA made sure to ban all research on nuclear power when they had found a way to do it themselves... go figure... Just another nail in the coffin of their reputation...
It's like saying teleportation would be very useful. What is preventing Thorium from being used then? It's only natural if we find something better we flock and migrate to it immediately (or very soon anyway)
@SuperCorey95 We're far too invested in fossil fuels and coal. Give it 50-100 years and thorium will see widespread use. And don't assume it's being totally ignored. There is plenty of research being done right now around the world.
@SuperCorey95 well, take into account that internal combustion engine took about a century to catch on, and you'll see that we don't always naturally flock to something better. momentum is a very powerful force, much like cynicism. contrary to popular belief, some basic premises of cold fusion have been replicated. why aren't we putting more public fund into its research then? the problem is that cynicism is an easy way to feel smart, which the public tends to like.
@BabyEater9000 Very good point. I wonder how society would react if they put most of their eggs in one basket, and went all out into developing this. I wonder if it would become the new fuel really quickly, of if it will just take a while anyway
@SuperCorey95 people who are in charge of long-term strategic planning for humanity are mostly very smart, so they'll know better than to jump right into this. molten-salt thorium is an interesting prospect, but there are still scientific concerns to be addressed. that being said, I think the investigation of this is worth a lot of public fund, and definitely a lot more than the current amount we're spending on so-called "War on Terror"
"At 2000 I didnt really know much about nuclear energy..." Yeah... a good speaker but can we get someone with 30 years min experience in the field..? I will be fine if he studders - its nuclear engineering for $%^& sake, not toastmasters.
So tired of talking about changing energy from fossil fuels to something different. We apparently already know how to do this but no one or not enough of us demand it. Also, rich people with resources don't invest in this. Whats going on here? Why continue to destroy the planet and our lives and maybe our future if we know about this damn technologies. Bill Gates spends billions of his dollars saving children from disease but this says nothing really of the quality of life that will not enjoy.
@OldSchoolSkill Agreed. Without the internet being free, we'll be very much screwed. Both of these are MASSIVELY important things, and I plan on spreading this video as much as I can
Great. Thorium is only 20 yrs away. And in 20 yrs, thorium will once again be only 20 more yrs away. Continue the research, but is this a solution to resource depletion and human-made climate change? No. Not today. Not for at least 20 more yrs. And probably will never happen. Its just a little to convenient when we are at the last of our resources, for some technological savior to descend and promise that we can continue to consume, consume, consume. Thorium is just a stunt for coal.
Great talk. Thanks. You make a very good case there which only leaves me wondering why we're not hearing a lot more about thorium reactors as an alternatiev energy source now. Politics? Commercial problems? Lack of awareness?
@Astrostevo Simple. The speaker didnt mention it here, but one of the reasons that research into Thorium reactors didnt get the government investment it needed in the 50s was because it is incredibly difficult to use Thorium reactors to create weapons grade nuclear material. I'd wager the same holds true today.
mad individuals will have their peers forget about mandatory wisdom. how long does it take to recycle radiated surroundings and how long does it take to recycle radiating waste ?
Top comments are demonstrations of the kind of dialogue that we need more of in the way of the public. TED is a marvelous platform! We all need to keep it up!
I don't believe that Thorium by itself can power the world indefinitely, but it surely can help in the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energies. I don't believe that we can power the world solely by renewables too, but that's where thorium appears.
I'm getting a headache watching this video. It jumps around too quickly. Too many cuts, too many images, getting in the way of the message. I stopped after 2 mins. Shame cause it looks interesting but the presentation is appalling.
People that are unwilling to do or learn anything unless it meets their exact requirements annoy me a great deal.
You found the contents of this video interesting and yet the visual presentation made it so intolerable you just had to stop ?That sounds ridiculous.
The video is packed with visual and auditory information because he only had a 10 minute time span and had to make the most of it. If your brain cannot handle it then you could've just closed your eyes
@TheUnchainedMind That's rubbish. if someone is shouting at you, even if the information is valuable, you are unlikely to listen to them. I didn't say it had to meet my exact requirements. You said that. Presentation is an important part of a presentation, is it not? If someone can't take the time to present something properly in this format do it in another way. Perhaps it would have been better as a written article. yes i'm afraid the terrible style trumped the content for me this time.
@TheUnchainedMind personally i think he could have done better with a few minor alterations. I know he could have done better. no point in settling for your second best, is there? he was let down by the editing team and the camera team too. What's the sacrifice by the way?
Big companies are only 90% bad boys - the 10% will win through when the myopic sociopath bosses realise that moderate profits in an extant world = better than a huge bank balance in a dead one...
@offpatsmile so true but i'm scared you're being overly optomistic and they won't figure it out till "he who has the most toys when he dies, wins" is decided definitively
@vulcanfeline 'Tis true that you usually cannot over estimate the stupidity of the top people running the most important organisations....but weirdly, I remain optimistic...based on surviving missile crisis, Vietnam, Iraq etc....
Profit runs the business men and they want to protect their gold mines. The problem here isn't new at all: things could be changed but aren't because of money.
Profit runs the business men and they want to protect their problem. The problem here isn't new at all: things could be changed but aren't because of money.
This is definitely the way to go .But big oil and coal companies will fight it tooth and nail !And with our current political system being bought and paid for by these corporations we'll have to make some major changes in DC !
@dominiccss There will be change, either total collapse of society through greed and destruction of the environment leading to ongoing war or before that happens more and more people will wake up and see whats happening and demand change and force it. Hopefully the gov't's will realise they have to accept the peoples choice or oppress us leading to civil unrest and war...
@wyattwolf9 What I mean is that people in power will always, always, always be reaching for more. They will always be looking for more ways to crush the small guy and make more profit. More ways to line their pockets and climb to the top. It has always been this way, and it will stay that way.
@dominiccss Totally agree with you, we need to grow up and lose this destructive need to make money and control others, if it doesn't change then my forcasts of the future will happen :(
@wyattwolf9 LSD for everyone! Not even joking.. If all these pricks in power ate some acid once in a while I think our country would run a whole lot better :P
Yeah I'd heard that those countries were looking into this as well...but we should be doing the same rather than leaving it all in a book. After all we consume/use so much energy :(
I just can't believe this has been sitting in a book for 50 years and not used...God damn corporations putting profit over sustainable and safe energy. Why can't the gov't's grow some balls and just use this technology! So what if it cause social upheaval, we have one planet and we have to look after our home. Its as simple as that!!
@wyattwolf9 I'm pretty sure that China, India & Russia are working on Thorium reactor development. I think it's matter of time before we get a large enough reactor to make it viable.
@HWGuyEG I wasn't sure at what stage they were in development but I guess they know they need to support a larger population with more power requirements hence they are taking up this option.
@wyattwolf9 - the US nuclear industry grew out of the military nuclear program, which was focused on uranium for nuclear weapons. US corporations went with the sure bet, uranium based reactors. After all, a corporation is not a charitable organization that can bleed money, it needs to turn a profit in order to remain a going concern. No profit, no company.
The ONLY reason why we don't already have LFTR is because it is too cheap.
There's no money in that...
There's no money in robotic gaAs (NASA type 30% efficient) solar arrays... And the LiFePO4 battery (which cycles FIVE TIMES LONGER that normal Li-ion)... factories... Machine made, 24/7, for almost FREEEeeee...
Ya, I kinda hate the way politics keep push'n...
Time keeps on slipp'n, slipp'n, in to the frieeeeeking PAST...
@fireofenergy I don't think that's the problem. The LFTR was an old and forgoteen project, the Nixon administration had more to do with burrying it than the nuclear industry monopolies of the time.
Other energy tech like upcoming solar energy (dye-sensitized, gallium-based, P-I-N junctioned nanorods, etc.) are still undergoing research and currently cannot be used practically. I actually make and test LiFePO4 batteries and their major problem is you can only cycle them very slowly
I am only "going" by common sense, but am not sure. If the IFR and the LFTR has already been proven, then it seems there are other interests at stake, like that of keeping the money flowing from FF's and the LWR, instead of re-developing.
LFTR would "cut" power production by many orders of magnitude!
I believe with fusion, there will also come "technical or safety difficulties" which require the raising of costs past business as usual.
"WHY AREN'T WE FUNDING THIS" - Peter Griffin
LPhase9 23 minutes ago in playlist Best of TEDxTalks
Ok, so what's the downside???
TheChimneySwifts 1 day ago
@TheChimneySwifts you gotta fly all that crap up there
bdiddy77777 1 day ago
@TheChimneySwifts can't make weapons from the byproducts.
pnookster 2 hours ago
I could listen to this all day.
ColterDewitt 1 week ago
This man speaks of direct replacements for diesel fuels...I knew electric cars were just a fad.
drche420 1 week ago in playlist Best of TEDxTalks
why hasn't this man been killed by the perolium companies. or the government, people who have money and power now, would loose everything if this becomes a reality.p somebody, for the love of god get this man a bodyguard. I know for a fact Kevin Costners avaliable.
themeankanin 1 week ago
Hes makes it sound like Thorium is the solution to a clean enviorment. But there is probably some defects with it that we doesnt know about yet. Still, sounds better than Uranium.
Tkmalo15 1 week ago
But as with everthing people will die before the world decides to change.
Thatdarnmonkeylove 1 week ago
Let's get it going!
cfall234 1 week ago
man we are a bunch of fuel junkies
yeaalrightiamawake 2 weeks ago
Your world "rulers" and GOV's will never let this happen. This would lead to individual freedom and independence. Which is unacceptable.
Yankeeprepper 2 weeks ago 16
@Yankeeprepper . That can be the reality, but all positive thinkers.. PLEASE UNITE ans spread the word.
samisuvanto 1 week ago
no woman no cry by the refugees went on when I played this, so fitting
kiel108 2 weeks ago
Please explain how the waste heat is handled? If not water cooled, how is the waste heat dispensed of? Carnot wants to know...
whatwhich 2 weeks ago
@whatwhich A LFTR can run at high enough temps that air cooling would be sufficient to provide sufficient delta T.
johnberrynix 2 weeks ago
@johnberrynix what?
MrLachupakabra 2 weeks ago
@MrLachupakabra A Liquid Fluoride Thorium Reactor can run at a high enough temperature that air cooling can cause a big enough change in the temperature of the coolant (delta T) so that water is necessary for cooling. This is good for locations away from water.
johnberrynix 1 week ago
@MrLachupakabra Edit: Water isn't necessary
johnberrynix 1 week ago
Helium^3 in the form of Space Rocks, used in Fusion. The moon is the only body Abundant with it.
Kry8ter 2 weeks ago
thorium isnt a renewable resource though so this isnt gonna work forever, even though it seems to be a much better technique than the current uranium reactors
sensesfail70 2 weeks ago
@sensesfail70 Well it has been estimated that a LFTR could provide thousands of years of energy from known thorium reserves. The amount of energy released from such a small amount of thorium is so great that a golf ball size amount of thorium could provide your energy needs for your entire life.
The non-renewable factor is a non-factor.
johnberrynix 2 weeks ago
@johnberrynix all right, thanks for your response! I don't know much about this area, but it sounds interesting even though I am convinced that we can support the whole world's population's energy need through solar, tidal, wind, geo and hydropower. :)
sensesfail70 2 weeks ago
@sensesfail70 Solar, tidal, wind, geo and hydropower are site specific and variable. LFTR can go anywhere and runs 24/7/365. The reactors would be built assembly line style so the cost would also be much less.
iamchillydogg 1 week ago
@sensesfail70 Any source of energy is finite taken from a universes perspective thus its kinda of a mute point the question is however the efficiency (economic and power generation) and availability of the energy sources that matters.
thegreatleviathan0 2 weeks ago
@sensesfail70 well.... it's safer, less expensive, and more abundant than uranium, not to mention through a simpler process than that of uranium, the bi-products of a thorium reaction do not include plutonium, like uranium does; limiting the amount of fissile material for nuclear proliferation. ~I'm no expert, but that's what I gotten out of a couple days of research on the internet.
MrLachupakabra 2 weeks ago
quick, someone take this video down before the government tries to steal his idea!
ThatDudeWithTheCube 2 weeks ago
The Department of Energy grants hundreds of millions of dollars per year in research and development of alternative energy systems. If looking for funding, this would be the best place to start. Either that or contact Sandia National Laboratories and get them started with this project.
Having dabbled in the field of alternative energy for over 20 years (I have two patents in the field), I know that implementing such systems in society is always the hardest part.
jumboJetPilot 2 weeks ago
But how does it work? Is it fission, or does the thorium naturally radiate and heat things up? Why doesn't he explain this?
carrierjunkie 3 weeks ago
@carrierjunkie It is fission of uranium-233 which is what thorium-232 breeds
The beauty is in the molten salt. It can run hotter but at atmospheric pressure so safety concerns can be hugely reduced. Also, hydrogen gas cannot be produced since there is no water being destroyed by radiation. This as well as the fact that no combustibles are produced greatly reduce the chance of any sort of explosion to disperse radioactive particles.
johnberrynix 3 weeks ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@johnberrynix Wait, what do you mean by "It is fission of uranium-233 which is what thorium-232 breeds" I don't understand. Where did any sort of breeding come into this?
And you don't need to go into the advantages of thorium, the video covered it. I just want the mechanics that these advantages are derived from.
carrierjunkie 2 weeks ago
@johnberrynix Okay, I get it. Thorium is not fissle, but becomes uranium 233 if it absorbs enough neutrons, uranium 233 being fissle. Why didn't you say that before?
carrierjunkie 2 weeks ago
@carrierjunkie Thorium-232 captures a neutron and becomes Th-233. This then beta decays to Protactinium-233 which in turn beta decays to Uranium-233. Uranium-233 can then capture another neutron and fission, producing 2 to 3 new neutrons. These new neutrons will go on to fission other uranium-233 atoms or be absorbed by another Th-232 atom. The cycle continues this way producing massive amounts of heat from the fission of uranium-233.
johnberrynix 2 weeks ago
@johnberrynix and not to forget the Pa233 has a half life of 27 days and which has a 5X neutron capture ratio of Th232 and turns to Pa232 with about a 1.3 day half life with a 10 times Th232 neutron capture ratio and which then decays to U232 making the production of weapons grade U233 highly unlikely With all that Pa running around sux up alot of neutrons so they lower the flux to lower the effective capture ratio's
raypsi 2 weeks ago
it's called the santa susana sodium reactor experiment.
result: nuclear meltdown, area polluted for a thousand generations.
Traxxasred 3 weeks ago
@Traxxasred But sodium is not thorium. Your argument is invalid.
t3hzexion 3 weeks ago
@Traxxasred Sounds like it doesnt it.
plopsywhopsy 3 weeks ago
@Traxxasred They aren't using sodium but fluoride Sodium will blow up if it see a water molecule Fluoride they use in Flibe will only combine with the radioactive materials and freezes at room temps so if the Flibe gets out it ain't going no where
raypsi 2 weeks ago
This is not the first time thorium has been suggested as a power source. There is a lot of suspicion that nuclear power was promoted in the 50s, using uranium, because the waste products can be used to make more bombs than the waste from thorium.
daveharpe 3 weeks ago
But will it blend?
Mornys 3 weeks ago
@Mornys Yes that's part of the two fluid system. :)
Darkwizzrobe 5 days ago
He covered incredible ground in 10:03! He didn't ignore waste at all- on the contrary. Watch again and learn. From their website: "So-called “nuclear waste” or spent-nuclear fuel is produced in conventional (solid-core) nuclear reactors because they are unable to extract all of the nuclear energy from their fuel before they have to shutdown. LFTR addresses this issue by using a form of nuclear fuel ... that allow complete extraction of nuclear energy from the fuel."
chanell1351 3 weeks ago
@chanell1351 It can actually go farther than that, and put the nuclear waste from solid reactors into the LFTR and burn it up so we no longer need the containment facilities.
t3hzexion 3 weeks ago
Nuclear waste was entirely ignored in this speech.
markthe5hark8 3 weeks ago in playlist Best of TEDxTalks
@markthe5hark8 Because there is little to no waste whatsoever. Maybe some leftover graphite that would have small amounts of radiation residuely. If no other option, graphite can be safely burned in certain circumstances, completely eradicating any waste.
t3hzexion 3 weeks ago
@markthe5hark8 No at 7:36 the chart deals with the waste issue
Darkwizzrobe 5 days ago
Anyone else find it kind of neat that a substance named after the norse thunder god, will be used in the future to create electricity?
Andreask93 3 weeks ago 14
@Andreask93 coincidence?
MrLachupakabra 2 weeks ago
WTF?? In the 1950-s???? Grab some pitchforks my fellow american motherfrakers!!!!
lorizoli 3 weeks ago in playlist Best of TEDxTalks
holy crap!!!
what's the catch? is the technology not quite there yet?
TheShortStory 3 weeks ago
@TheShortStory
because oil companies don't want to lose money
dollar will become just paper because its value is related to the oil
nasapun 3 weeks ago
@TheShortStory I partly agree. Though that was not related to my question ;)
TheShortStory 3 weeks ago
Didn't Clive Cussler write a book featuring this? Anyway, they've already got SHITLOADS of different energy sources hidden from us, for 'our protection'. Gorgeous lot, aren't they?
immensecat 3 weeks ago
who's coming to nevada with me to find this trench?
sexdrugsandrave 4 weeks ago 4
We don;t all need air conditioning. That's only those who decide to live in the frigging desert *cough*TypicalAmerican*cough*NeedlessRacism*cough*
brain4breakfast 4 weeks ago
are there any negatives to using thorium?
TheWorldOfJames 4 weeks ago
It's a shame, that we invented liquid reactors 60 years ago, but until now noone was able to realize its potential.
I can't stop but wonder how energy-creation would be like today, if they didn't surpress the research in that field so early....
liquidminds 4 weeks ago in playlist Best of TEDxTalks 2
A thorium powered economy would destroy the economy. All those jobs moving all that uranium and fossil fuels, gone. All those jobs at coal and uranium power plants, gone. Every millionaire bigshot that owns a portion of the oil industry, controls the politics of the US, and lives off of your hardwork, gone.
Face it. We aren't going to see anything good for a loooooong while.
AirIUnderwater 4 weeks ago
A Thorium plant would literally knock out the chance for total meltdown as the material it uses is not like radioactive uranium. It is human stupidity, NOT the technology that is at fault.
Fukushima happened because it was build to withstand a wave only 17 feet high, when the tsunami that struck it was 3 times as high. The Generators (backups) were highly exposed and at a low elevation, so they were easily destroyed. Note that it was also near the ocean...
The tech is fine, humans areNOT
oldspice2625 4 weeks ago
@oldspice2625 It's not like the transition is going to happen overnight. There will be plenty of time for workers to change careers.
iamchillydogg 1 week ago
One Thorium plant can supply an entire city with energy and have some left over, in fact, it was estimated that we would need only 400 NEW plants total to reduce our foreign fossil fuel imports to a laughable amount.
the 104 plants we have now are all aging and will be retired, we MUST build these new thorium plants, it's essential.
Nuclear power can "backload" energy, which NO renewable can, nuclear runs 24/7 365 without halting, something renewable CANNOT do
oldspice2625 4 weeks ago
@oldspice2625 We don't burn oil for electricity.
iamchillydogg 1 week ago
@iamchillydogg By "we" you mean who exactly? There are quite a few petrol reactors around the world.
oshog00 3 days ago
The problem with Wind/Solar/Hydro is that it is totally dependent on localized forces, whereas nuclear is freed from these constraints. Wind currents change, Solar power can only be generated (at max capacity) during peak daylight hours (which change drastically depending on your location on earth from the equator).
Hydro destroys natural environments, just look at the Colorado River basin, though it is the most viable of the three. Wind turbines get in the way and need massive amountsof room
oldspice2625 4 weeks ago
Uneducated soul, air conditioning is the transfer of heat by work of electricity in a heat pump. It's about transferring excess heat from one spot to a spot where it needs the heat.
shiroineko13 1 month ago
air conditioning, ppl don't need that. that's more heat lost. they need community centers to cool down in other ways. AC is too much energy, not good for the body.
101101101777 1 month ago
the nanotech energy revolution will soon roll over the nuclear industry like the dinosaur it is
BeondaPale 1 month ago
Is there a Japanese translation for this? I think many of my friends would like to know about this.
sarnayuko 1 month ago
@sarnayuko You can translate the English captions to Japanese, but I wouldn't advise you to transcribe the audio because that never works.
duderme 1 month ago
I wish he'd left that iPad behind the stage. Reading doesn't make for a good talk, sorry.
holleridio 1 month ago
Those oil tycoons will have him killed
BK181294 1 month ago
One reason we are not using thorium is that it does not produce or involve materials to produce nuclear bombs. Another reason is that it would end the means by which US dollar hegemony is maintained - i.e. the oil economy. Remember what Kissinger said, "If you control the oil you control the country; if you control food, you control the population." It is all about control and population reduction. Read the National Security Memo 200 written in the early 70's and declassified in 1989.
silverman49 1 month ago
@silverman49 Stop thinking in terms of secret agendas and start thinking in terms of cash. The US does not control crude, therefore it would have no problem 'switching.' It just takes one enterprising and very rich person to make it happen.
The problem is this: If you're rich you take less risks. This is risky because it has not been proven to work explicitly.
4rch3nemy 1 month ago
why aren't we funding this?!? why after they discovered it in the 50's we still use reactors that blow up and destroy life?
boubalos101 1 month ago
@boubalos101 because money
TheDingellers 1 month ago
@boubalos101 That's because they can blow up and destroy life.
Cotronia 1 month ago
Hey.....Thorium powered Geo Metro.......
kimmer6 1 month ago
the problem is we'll eventually run dry on thorium. and with changing technology now and in the future, especially with a new energy source and the possibilities it presents, it could happen sooner than later. we'll face new and different energy crisis. one has to think of the implications.
but, let's face it, we're creatures of habit. we won't even switch from the qwerty keyboard to dvorak or other layouts. use of fossil fuels is a millennial old habit, and likely wont change anytime soon.
emeraldeyes55 1 month ago
@emeraldeyes55 Run dry on thorium? the earths crust is filled with it.
mikaelgruner 1 month ago
@mikaelgruner we also have quite a bit of oil and natural gas, but here we are fighting over the sources as if we're gonna run out in the next year. this crisis isn't just about just burning fossil fuels, but the economic and political complications when someone (e.g. foreign nations, enemies, etc.)has more than you. you don't have to have literally 'run dry' without feeling the effects of having 'run dry'.we could use thorium for a long while, but another crisis will likely occur.
emeraldeyes55 1 month ago
@emeraldeyes55 half a century is pretty soon
BabyEater9000 1 month ago
@emeraldeyes55 the problem with your idiotic argument is that everything will "eventually run dry." but fossil fuel comes from decomposed plants, and therefore it probably only exists on earth; thorium is a naturally occuring chemical element that can be found in the outer space as well. right now our nuclear power generating process is very inefficient. in time we'll be able to generate nuclear power very efficiently. there is every reason to switch to thorium.
BabyEater9000 1 month ago
@BabyEater9000 and whats your problem? i was just giving a general comment on the subject that i felt someone might want answered, if not me, since many of us aren't scientists. i wasn't being rude, insulting, or or an overall pain. i love this idea; i think it should be looked into. want to give an educated opinion with facts, feel free. but there's no need for you to start throwing insults for no reason. all it does is make you look like an ass.
and where's the 50 years from?
emeraldeyes55 1 month ago
@emeraldeyes55 jesus christ
BabyEater9000 1 month ago
@BabyEater9000 see? you continue with further insults for no reason. i wasn't even commenting on the subject of this video in reply to you, but of wanting to know what your deal was, so your need to use expletives and claiming i have serial ignorance is both unfounded and false. i never said anything against your facts, i read them clearly the first time i read them. all i was commenting to you was just that you came off as an asshole, and thank you so very much for proving it.
emeraldeyes55 1 month ago
@emeraldeyes55 i'm sorry, i keep deleting and re-writing my comments but my mind won't let me not use expletives in response to your serial ignorance. in the meanwhile, please feel free to re-read my comments to truly see if i said anything other than facts. google is your friend.
BabyEater9000 1 month ago
@BabyEater9000 your ignorance in what i'm saying is truly astounding to me. and since you're so obviously ignorant that your mind was affected in your (obviously) failed attempt to amass and use expletives, let me say, google is your friend.now, since there is a tiny chance that you're not a complete prick whose only qualities ran down the crack of his mother's ass and ended up as a brown stain on the sheets, but instead an annoying troll, i'm going to just ignore any/all replies.
emeraldeyes55 1 month ago
@emeraldeyes55 seeing that you're not going to figure it out yourself, i'll spell it out for you once more. your contribution to this topic is useless, and the question you posed is stupid. thorium eventually running out is the last of our worries. energy use will increase, but so will efficiency. eventually running out of thorium is never not a problem, but it's a very insignificant one. there are valid concerns on widespread use of thorium reactor, none of which you mentioned.
BabyEater9000 1 month ago
@emeraldeyes55 and what's that with your arbitrary comment about brown stain on bedsheets? is that supposed to insult me? instead try issuing valid rebuttals. i don't care for generic insults. sure, i'm not very polite, but it's being as dim as you are is much worse than occasionally getting pissed at dimwits.
BabyEater9000 1 month ago
So.... USA made sure to ban all research on nuclear power when they had found a way to do it themselves... go figure... Just another nail in the coffin of their reputation...
ydyammo 1 month ago
Sounds cool. Why aren't we using it then?
It's like saying teleportation would be very useful. What is preventing Thorium from being used then? It's only natural if we find something better we flock and migrate to it immediately (or very soon anyway)
SuperCorey95 1 month ago
@SuperCorey95 We're far too invested in fossil fuels and coal. Give it 50-100 years and thorium will see widespread use. And don't assume it's being totally ignored. There is plenty of research being done right now around the world.
UnforgivingCookie 1 month ago
@SuperCorey95 well, take into account that internal combustion engine took about a century to catch on, and you'll see that we don't always naturally flock to something better. momentum is a very powerful force, much like cynicism. contrary to popular belief, some basic premises of cold fusion have been replicated. why aren't we putting more public fund into its research then? the problem is that cynicism is an easy way to feel smart, which the public tends to like.
BabyEater9000 1 month ago
@BabyEater9000 Very good point. I wonder how society would react if they put most of their eggs in one basket, and went all out into developing this. I wonder if it would become the new fuel really quickly, of if it will just take a while anyway
SuperCorey95 1 month ago
@SuperCorey95 people who are in charge of long-term strategic planning for humanity are mostly very smart, so they'll know better than to jump right into this. molten-salt thorium is an interesting prospect, but there are still scientific concerns to be addressed. that being said, I think the investigation of this is worth a lot of public fund, and definitely a lot more than the current amount we're spending on so-called "War on Terror"
BabyEater9000 1 month ago
"At 2000 I didnt really know much about nuclear energy..." Yeah... a good speaker but can we get someone with 30 years min experience in the field..? I will be fine if he studders - its nuclear engineering for $%^& sake, not toastmasters.
OSCAR1777 1 month ago
Yay science!
myPETsnailFRED 1 month ago
So tired of talking about changing energy from fossil fuels to something different. We apparently already know how to do this but no one or not enough of us demand it. Also, rich people with resources don't invest in this. Whats going on here? Why continue to destroy the planet and our lives and maybe our future if we know about this damn technologies. Bill Gates spends billions of his dollars saving children from disease but this says nothing really of the quality of life that will not enjoy.
jggm2011 1 month ago
WHy are we talking about the moon?
WJHDetroit 1 month ago
this is nice, but thorium will eventually be depleted as well. I think fusion is the best way to go, of course its almost impossible -_-
cheeseintheair 1 month ago
@cheeseintheair Well this could give us enough time to create fusion energy, and reduce emission.
Slycooper2456 1 month ago
i fukin love thorium!!
YTDekus 1 month ago
brb buying a thorium mine
draakon27 1 month ago 43
@CitizenPlusPlus I thought thorium was a stunt for thorium... not coal.
kamchattawhatta 1 month ago
@OldSchoolSkill Agreed. Without the internet being free, we'll be very much screwed. Both of these are MASSIVELY important things, and I plan on spreading this video as much as I can
LordofWomba 1 month ago
@OldSchoolSkill If we could generate the same amount of support/attention/awareness that we did against SOPA, I think we could make some headway.
LordofWomba 1 month ago
Great. Thorium is only 20 yrs away. And in 20 yrs, thorium will once again be only 20 more yrs away. Continue the research, but is this a solution to resource depletion and human-made climate change? No. Not today. Not for at least 20 more yrs. And probably will never happen. Its just a little to convenient when we are at the last of our resources, for some technological savior to descend and promise that we can continue to consume, consume, consume. Thorium is just a stunt for coal.
CitizenPlusPlus 1 month ago
BTW. Got here via Greg Laden's blog which has this talk on apage there in case that's hrlpful at all.
Astrostevo 1 month ago
Great talk. Thanks. You make a very good case there which only leaves me wondering why we're not hearing a lot more about thorium reactors as an alternatiev energy source now. Politics? Commercial problems? Lack of awareness?
Astrostevo 1 month ago
@Astrostevo Simple. The speaker didnt mention it here, but one of the reasons that research into Thorium reactors didnt get the government investment it needed in the 50s was because it is incredibly difficult to use Thorium reactors to create weapons grade nuclear material. I'd wager the same holds true today.
pedro898 1 month ago
@pedro898 : Yeah, that makes a cynical kind of sense. Thanks.
Astrostevo 1 month ago
I emailed this guy, he's such a champ. We need more Kirk Sorensen's in this world.
derekeano 1 month ago 2
mad individuals will have their peers forget about mandatory wisdom. how long does it take to recycle radiated surroundings and how long does it take to recycle radiating waste ?
mrdotbryce 1 month ago 2
This article outlines the reasons why Thorium will not work. guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/jun/23/thorium-nuclear-uranium
GriffinNietling 1 month ago
@GriffinNietling 404 page not found. ??
derekeano 1 month ago
Great presentation (and all in just 10 minutes)...
I am glad to be the 300th member (hope I can do more to raise awareness)!
fireofenergy 1 month ago
Thank you very much!
Lavaheadza 1 month ago
Top comments are demonstrations of the kind of dialogue that we need more of in the way of the public. TED is a marvelous platform! We all need to keep it up!
psychopotato 1 month ago
@OldSchoolSkill Prolly the smartest thing ive read on youtube.. Here here!
Vatoaztecas 1 month ago
I don't believe that Thorium by itself can power the world indefinitely, but it surely can help in the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energies. I don't believe that we can power the world solely by renewables too, but that's where thorium appears.
T0B0KKE 1 month ago 2
Close your eyes and it's Pauly Shore.
"Direct replacement for dieselllll buh'dy!"
bitcloud1 1 month ago
The editing in this is incredibly distracting.
lekoman 1 month ago
@lekoman thanks i'm glad someone agrees with me. someone else slagged me off. no excuse for sh1tty camera work and poor presentation and bad editing.
anchorbuildings 1 month ago
@OldSchoolSkill
kadzuki2 1 month ago
Well then what's Homer Simpson gonna do for a living?
BombKrueger 1 month ago
Comment removed
Deithrian 1 month ago
I'm getting a headache watching this video. It jumps around too quickly. Too many cuts, too many images, getting in the way of the message. I stopped after 2 mins. Shame cause it looks interesting but the presentation is appalling.
anchorbuildings 1 month ago
@anchorbuildings
People that are unwilling to do or learn anything unless it meets their exact requirements annoy me a great deal.
You found the contents of this video interesting and yet the visual presentation made it so intolerable you just had to stop ?That sounds ridiculous.
The video is packed with visual and auditory information because he only had a 10 minute time span and had to make the most of it. If your brain cannot handle it then you could've just closed your eyes
TheUnchainedMind 1 month ago 23
@TheUnchainedMind That's rubbish. if someone is shouting at you, even if the information is valuable, you are unlikely to listen to them. I didn't say it had to meet my exact requirements. You said that. Presentation is an important part of a presentation, is it not? If someone can't take the time to present something properly in this format do it in another way. Perhaps it would have been better as a written article. yes i'm afraid the terrible style trumped the content for me this time.
anchorbuildings 1 month ago
@anchorbuildings
Sacrifices must be made to use the outstanding TED platform.
That includes a small window and a hefty price.
All in all I think he did the best he could.
TheUnchainedMind 1 month ago
@TheUnchainedMind personally i think he could have done better with a few minor alterations. I know he could have done better. no point in settling for your second best, is there? he was let down by the editing team and the camera team too. What's the sacrifice by the way?
anchorbuildings 1 month ago
@TheUnchainedMind perhaps it shouldn't have been so 'packed' as you put it. a simpler style would have been much more palatable.
anchorbuildings 1 month ago
@anchorbuildings I totally agree. It got old after the first minute for me... I had to shut it off.
lekoman 1 month ago
Big companies are only 90% bad boys - the 10% will win through when the myopic sociopath bosses realise that moderate profits in an extant world = better than a huge bank balance in a dead one...
offpatsmile 1 month ago
@offpatsmile so true but i'm scared you're being overly optomistic and they won't figure it out till "he who has the most toys when he dies, wins" is decided definitively
vulcanfeline 1 month ago
@vulcanfeline 'Tis true that you usually cannot over estimate the stupidity of the top people running the most important organisations....but weirdly, I remain optimistic...based on surviving missile crisis, Vietnam, Iraq etc....
offpatsmile 1 month ago
much to think about...
vivianhh 1 month ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Profit runs the business men and they want to protect their gold mines. The problem here isn't new at all: things could be changed but aren't because of money.
vChipGivesThemSight 1 month ago
Profit runs the business men and they want to protect their problem. The problem here isn't new at all: things could be changed but aren't because of money.
vChipGivesThemSight 1 month ago
that's cool :D
ChevRcr454 1 month ago
Very well done and it is a great next step in our energy community.
reaganlogan 1 month ago
nicely done
demarre9 1 month ago
when will we learn its change now now now
psyclonought22 2 months ago
This is definitely the way to go .But big oil and coal companies will fight it tooth and nail !And with our current political system being bought and paid for by these corporations we'll have to make some major changes in DC !
420gma 2 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Could thorium be used for power and as a source of xenon gas for ion drives?
apex02001 2 months ago
I wish I knew more about this.
bamboo4tameshigiri 2 months ago
OMG this could save the earth.
burrochapadogrl 2 months ago
I just hope humanity grows up from this need to focus on power and profit thats screwing up everything today.
Don't believe there are any downsides other than some companies would be out of business who provide the masses of equipment for uranium reactors.
wyattwolf9 2 months ago
@wyattwolf9 Nothing will change.
dominiccss 2 months ago
@dominiccss There will be change, either total collapse of society through greed and destruction of the environment leading to ongoing war or before that happens more and more people will wake up and see whats happening and demand change and force it. Hopefully the gov't's will realise they have to accept the peoples choice or oppress us leading to civil unrest and war...
wyattwolf9 2 months ago
@wyattwolf9 What I mean is that people in power will always, always, always be reaching for more. They will always be looking for more ways to crush the small guy and make more profit. More ways to line their pockets and climb to the top. It has always been this way, and it will stay that way.
dominiccss 2 months ago
@dominiccss Totally agree with you, we need to grow up and lose this destructive need to make money and control others, if it doesn't change then my forcasts of the future will happen :(
wyattwolf9 2 months ago
@wyattwolf9 LSD for everyone! Not even joking.. If all these pricks in power ate some acid once in a while I think our country would run a whole lot better :P
dominiccss 2 months ago
@dominiccss Spoken like a fan of Bill Hicks?
wyattwolf9 2 months ago
i would love to know the downsides of using thorium
MrXyz1549 2 months ago
Yeah I'd heard that those countries were looking into this as well...but we should be doing the same rather than leaving it all in a book. After all we consume/use so much energy :(
wyattwolf9 2 months ago
I just can't believe this has been sitting in a book for 50 years and not used...God damn corporations putting profit over sustainable and safe energy. Why can't the gov't's grow some balls and just use this technology! So what if it cause social upheaval, we have one planet and we have to look after our home. Its as simple as that!!
wyattwolf9 2 months ago
@wyattwolf9 I'm pretty sure that China, India & Russia are working on Thorium reactor development. I think it's matter of time before we get a large enough reactor to make it viable.
QRhuggies 2 months ago
@QRhuggies
India already has a working CANDU-like reactor burning Thorium, they're planning making a LFTR, so is China.
HWGuyEG 2 months ago
@HWGuyEG I wasn't sure at what stage they were in development but I guess they know they need to support a larger population with more power requirements hence they are taking up this option.
QRhuggies 2 months ago
@wyattwolf9 - the US nuclear industry grew out of the military nuclear program, which was focused on uranium for nuclear weapons. US corporations went with the sure bet, uranium based reactors. After all, a corporation is not a charitable organization that can bleed money, it needs to turn a profit in order to remain a going concern. No profit, no company.
luceneInAction 2 months ago
The tight editing of this video is terrible. Kirk doesn't take a breath in the entire 10 minutes.
spoddie 3 months ago
Thanks be to Kirk!
fireofenergy 4 months ago
The ONLY reason why we don't already have LFTR is because it is too cheap.
There's no money in that...
There's no money in robotic gaAs (NASA type 30% efficient) solar arrays... And the LiFePO4 battery (which cycles FIVE TIMES LONGER that normal Li-ion)... factories... Machine made, 24/7, for almost FREEEeeee...
Ya, I kinda hate the way politics keep push'n...
Time keeps on slipp'n, slipp'n, in to the frieeeeeking PAST...
fireofenergy 4 months ago 39
@fireofenergy couldn't a government simply make it itself and nationalize its industry or am I missing something?
scerpalman 3 months ago
@fireofenergy I don't think that's the problem. The LFTR was an old and forgoteen project, the Nixon administration had more to do with burrying it than the nuclear industry monopolies of the time.
Other energy tech like upcoming solar energy (dye-sensitized, gallium-based, P-I-N junctioned nanorods, etc.) are still undergoing research and currently cannot be used practically. I actually make and test LiFePO4 batteries and their major problem is you can only cycle them very slowly
OfficeThug 2 months ago
@fireofenergy If we don't have LFTR because 'it is too cheap', how do you explain the billions being spent on the ITER reactor?
ZMGBass 1 month ago
@ZMGBass
I am only "going" by common sense, but am not sure. If the IFR and the LFTR has already been proven, then it seems there are other interests at stake, like that of keeping the money flowing from FF's and the LWR, instead of re-developing.
LFTR would "cut" power production by many orders of magnitude!
I believe with fusion, there will also come "technical or safety difficulties" which require the raising of costs past business as usual.
Education is key! (But I'm no physicist either).
fireofenergy 1 month ago