We've technically had fusion figured out since the late 1800's, it's just we're stuck on the tiny snag where it takes more power to make a fusion reaction than we get out. But, even then, plenty of exciting stuff, especially ITER (a tradition Tokamak style reactor), and it's counterpart project that's name current escapes me (a type of reactor that uses lasers to fuse a small pellet). Exciting stuff, very exciting stuff.
Yeah magnetic containment is the in thang, the reactor in France due in ~2030 (or something like that) aims to be the first fusion reactor to create more energy than is put in with a sustainable (most likely not indefinite) reaction. They have achieved reactions that get out more than they put in, but its still a matter of how long they can sustain it. Recreating a sun is srz biznus.
The earthquake wasn't a big deal, the tsunami is what messed things up by flooding the generators. Even then there was this mechanism which was supposed to keep the thing cool but a battery which was supposed to provide power for a valve failed. In other words, this all could've been avoided if it wasn't for a faulty battery...
Still the wrong way looking at it, the newer reactors had better failsafes and they couldn't be bothered upgrading older plants with newer safety systems, pretty irresponsible. That aside, I'm interested in how society reacts to the news that radiation has been released, such as Germany's reaction, announcing plans to shut down reactors in their quest for green energy, a path that will result in the short-term increase of sourcing from carbon polluting sources and/or other nuclear plants.
