TY - BOOK AU - National research council TI - Assessment of the prospects for inertial fusion energy SN - 9780309270816 PY - 2013/// CY - Washington PB - NAP, KW - Chamber technology KW - General conclusions KW - Statement of task N1 - Appendixes A-J 173-229p N2 - he potential for using fusion energy to produce commercial electric power was first explored in the 1950s. Harnessing fusion energy offers the prospect of a nearly carbon-free energy source with a virtually unlimited supply of fuel. Unlike nuclear fission plants, appropriately designed fusion power plants would not produce the large amounts of high-level nuclear waste that requires long-term disposal. Due to these prospects, many nations have initiated research and development (R&D) programs aimed at developing fusion as an energy source. Two R&D approaches are being explored: magnetic fusion energy (MFE) and inertial fusion energy (IFE) ER -