Do we have any energy source that is available 24 hours every day, releases no CO2 into the atmosphere, and does not kill birds? Yes. Nuclear fission. Then why do Sweden and France rely on it, but Germany is trying to phase it out to zero? Can we justify burying nuclear waste for thousands of years? Are there security risks? Will fusion ever be less than a few decades away? What insights might Christian perspectives bring to the table?
Robert Kaita has written an essay that informs us about what is currently available in fission and fusion, and raises a gamut of questions. He is well prepared to lead us on this topic after nearly forty years in nuclear fusion research at the Plasma Physics Laboratory at Princeton University. Bob’s research interests include plasma heating techniques and plasma instabilities, and he developed diagnostic instrumentation and structural materials for fusion research devices. He also supervised the doctoral research of numerous students in the Plasma Physics Program in Princeton’s Department of Astrophysical Sciences, and has served as the president of the American Scientific Affiliation, and is a member of our PSCF editorial board.
Readers are encouraged to take up one of the insights or questions, or maybe a related one that was not mentioned, and draft an article (typically about 5,000-8,000 words) that contributes to the conversation. These can be sent to Dr. Kaita at [email protected]. He will send the best essays on to peer review and then we will select from those for publication in a theme issue of Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith.
The lead editorial in the December 2013 issue of PSCF outlines what the journal looks for in article contributions. For best consideration for inclusion in the theme issue, manuscripts should be received electronically before 30 September 2020.
Looking forward to your contributions,
James C. Peterson, Editor-in-Chief
Perspectives on Science and Christian
Faith