Richard Wade was  KOD this Saturday and was able to provide a most interesting speaker from UCSD, Professor George Tynan. The tile of his talk was “Energy for the 21st Century”

 

Professor George Tynan received his PhD in Nuclear Engineering and Applied Plasma Physics from UCLA in 1991, and has been active in both basic and applied research since that period of time working in both academe and the private sector. He has done research in Europe and the US and, most recently, in Asia, and since 1999 has been on the faculty of the Jacobs School of Engineering at UCSD where he teaches and leads a large research group. His personal research is focused on basic scientific and technological issues underlying the harnessing of controlled nuclear fusion - the process that powers the stars - for human energy production. His larger interests include the development of all cleaner forms of energy, and educating students and the public about the critical role that energy plays in human civilization.

           One  of his studies shows that as third world countries gain energy the survival rate of children under age five increases.

 Another point made was that so called green energy at this time is too expensive and  in the future will only make up about 10 % of our energy needs.

Nuclear fusion which poses containment challenges appears to be a promising alternative. A full scale container is currently being constructed in France to study fusion.

`Nuclear fusion is the future.

 

Thanks to Richard and Professor Tynan for this engrossing presentation.

 

Special Guests

We welcomed honorary members Dave and Betty Carpenter. Betty was presented with our check for $200.00 as a donation to the Ramona Women's Club