The quest for energy eventually brought man to nuclear fusion, the process by which two atomic nuclei join to form a new nucleus. This process generates energy if the two nuclei have lower masses than iron. The problem is that at large distances the two nuclei repel each other because of the electrostatic force caused by their protons. Bringing them closer, just enough for the attractive nuclear force to take over is the key.
Description of a fusion reaction between deuterium and tritium source: dailytech.com
In 1950, Soviet scientists Andrei Sakharov and Igor Tamm proposed a nuclear fusion reactor they named "tokamak". This model proved so important that to this day the tokamak reactor is the most well developed and well funded of all the proposed reactor systems. It basically is a device that confines plasma by using a magnetic field.
Right: Igor Tamm (1895-1971) Bottom: Andrei Sakharov (1921-1989)
The power of fusion was also observed by the armies of the two superpowers of the time. The US detonated the 10.4 megatons bomb (450 times more powerful than the bomb dropped on Nagasaki) on the 1st of November 1952 called "Ivy Mike" (left image) and the USSR tested their Tsar Bomba on October 30, 1961, with the incredible yield of almost 58 megatons.
The history of fusion energy offers some very interesting moments and even today it tends to surprise. The reason is not necessarily scientific as we shall see. Like many scientific developments of the second half of the 20th century there is some suspicion that research into nuclear fusion enjoyed a forgotten help from Germany. I would like to give some, I believe, interesting examples to at least offer a possibility for this claim like Von Braun's well-known space ambitions, the Me 262 (or more likely the FW- Ta 183) that proved a stepping stone for the Soviet MiG 15, the popular soft drink Fanta which apparently originated in 1941 at the desire of Max Keith, the head of Coca-Cola in Germany and the more specific product methadone used by those with opioid dependence.
History, art, science, politics, all categories in which man can place his discoveries and thoughts all tied together by the need of knowing and understanding. Our liberty, as limited as it is must be protected first and foremost through learning. Aside from health nothing is more important than the mind and we must take care of both in order to become human. Just like a child is not a man/woman before he grows up and experiences the world, we are incomplete till we reach our destiny as truly sapient beings.
We hope you will enjoy this issue, we made a real effort to improve the quality but still feel that much is left to be done. Michael Johnson delights us with another great article from the field of art history and Hristofor offers to our attention a well balanced review of Germany's foreign policy, the largest European nation both in population and economy. American Dream II introduces you to an alternative history of the beginning of a superpower and how her present actions are deeply rooted in an idealized past. You will also discover Shibam, the Manhattan of the desert, Cioran, the philosopher not many know but who is fundamental in the field and last but not least, Maria, a great Russian artist who agreed to share with us some of her latest works.
AWIL Magazine is growing and it needs your help, the present writers are Michael Johnson, Dănilă Alexandra, Hristofor Hrisoskulov and I, Florin Cosma. Starting with the 6th issue a couple of people said they want to get involved, but for this project to continue its development we would need at least three more writers.
First we are searching for somebody who enjoys literature in order to write reviews of books, either new or old and to ”track down” young writers that did not publish their works ”on paper” yet, the Internet is a great treasure chest.
Second we would like to get in touch with someone who is interested in open source software/culture along with the ”sharing culture” spin-off.
Third, if you like to start a career in writing you might think of gathering news for AWIL Magazine, these should range from politics to science, from art to history (archaeological discoveries and so on). This activity will prove useful in tackling future writing positions.
We are searching for people that have ideas and know how to defend them. This magazine is free, it promotes knowledge, development and cooperation. It is written by people that enjoy cultural diversity and understand that we are all one. Through understanding our world, we understand ourselves and begin to stand on our own feet.
All the best,
Florin Cosma
angorcosma[@]gmail[.]com
The world is getting more and more interconnected and this development influences our lives and our future more than we may think. We steady begin to create a type of global culture, or more exactly, some common elements that begin to be found in all corners of the globe. Concentrating on the things that bring us together is much more important and productive than accentuating the differences. The difficult task is to create the institutions that will allow us to function correctly in a globalized framework.
In this issue you will be able to read about the Eastern Partnership, a great article written by our newest "crew member", Hristofor Hrisoskulov, G20 Seoul and NATO Lisbon. We also offer you an excellent article written by Michael Johnson about Ken Adam, the man who made the James Bond series a world phenomenon through the use of his extraordinary artistic capacities.
For many of you the year 2010 is getting ready to make room for 2011 and this more or less symbolic transition is a good occasion to think of what passed and dream for a better future.
Awil-um Magazine, August - September (3) / 2010 is online. We have two new writers, Michael Johnson and Dănilă Alexandra and as usual, more pages, now we have over 50. You will be able to read about about the 100 days of reform, an important moment in Chinese history, the 65th UN General Debate with fragments from four important leaders, "green" architecture, and much more. Enjoy the reading.
Here we are, the second issue of Awil-um Magazine, and I must admit... it was a fun and inspiring experience making it. From 12 pages we arrived at 40, almost three times more content than before. This is the farthest I can go solo and that is why I am asking for your help. The next issue which is scheduled to be released at the end of September will have even more pages filled with wonderful ideas because you will be part of the experience. We are opening the doors to the project for all to share their knowledge and imagination.
Three things are in need of your contribution, three new categories to help inspire others. The first is photography, if you enjoy taking pictures (some quality needed) of anything, we wait for you to send them along with short descriptions or comments regarding them. This could be an artistic photo or a picture from an event, a building that you noticed while walking by, anything that you want others to know, understand or experience with you.
The second category is cinematography. Here it is best to keep an open eye for details and an open mind for the review, because you will be the one who presents the wonderful world of motion pictures. If you want to take part in this, you will have to send two reviews, one of a movie released during the two months the magazine is being edited and another article about a movie that you consider a classic. Old ones and new ones, side by side.
The third project consists of literature. If you write poetry, stories, anything that contains some sort of understandable strings of words, you can send us an email. We want to promote an "Internet culture" through this activity, by encouraging people to use this powerful tool more efficiently.
Got some new candy for you kids, the first issue of Awil-um Magazin just got out of Scribus and it`s hot like a Cuban missile crisis. It is a humble start, but it`s a start nonetheless. In many ways this first issue is a demo to see what to change and what to leave for future editions. About the content, you will be able to read in-depth articles, but only starting with the second issue, other than this, the same things that apply to the blog are present in the magazine. You can view this experiment like an archive with a few extra things thrown inside.
