From Ideal Fusion to Working Nuclear Energy Systems
1. The Structural Failure of Big Fusion Projects The current fusion ecosystem is fragmented by design: Plasma physicists optimize reaction conditions (temperature, confinement time, Q-factor ). Materials scientists optimize isolated samples for peak performance under narrow conditions. System engineers extrapolate optimistic assumptions into plant-scale renderings. Each layer is locally successful. The system as a whole is not. The missing role is a system owner responsible for lifetime operation, maintenance, fuel logistics, radiation damage, and cost of ownership. As a result: Physics does not translate into engineering tolerances. Material properties do not translate into predictable service life. Subsystems do not assemble into an autonomous, economically stable energy platform. This is not a failure of science. It is a failure of architecture. 2. Radiation Is Not the Enemy — Unmanaged Degradation Is Neutron damage , swelling, helium embrittlement , and activation are fundamental...