IEE Article Review 381The article I decided to check out was an article about how a research laboratory in California was able to create nuclear fusion using an incredibly concentrated laser. This is important because we need to find alternative fuels to power our society that do not release excessive amounts of pollutants such as carbon emissions or nuclear waste. In the article it is mentioned that this laser was capable of creating more energy than it used and therefore could be used to generate energy. The other process I want to use as a pretext is the nuclear fission of U-235 and U-238. The difference between these two operations is that they operate on the respective particles mentioned above and furthermore U-235, which we currently use, creates nuclear waste, while U-238 does not. Another fact about this process is that U-235 makes up 0.702% of the uranium, while U-238 makes up 99.724%. The reason I mentioned these processes is to give an overview of the current situation, the nuclear fission of U-235, and the direction we are heading, laser induced fusion or fission of U-238. These two distinct processes that the future holds are very different, and ultimately, using the analysis we learned in class, I believe that nuclear fission of U-238 is the direction we are heading. should push. Now, to begin this analysis, I will review the RDdmaic of our current way of generating U-235 nuclear fission. To begin, we need to identify where the process sits on the product/volume mix graph. It is clear that the processes analyzed are based on the massive production of energy. There is no variability in the process and it must produce a massive quantity to be effective. Next, we will ask the three necessary questions as we arrive...... middle of document...... The most common type of reactor involves the fission of U-235 which is an inefficient process with lots of room for improvement. The future could be either laser-induced nuclear fusion or U-238 fission. While both may fit into the “should be” model from a lean perspective, fission of U-238 is a more feasible option for the future of the energy industry. Works Cited Brumfiel, Geoff. “Scientists say their giant laser produced nuclear fusion.” NPR.NPR, February 12, 2014. Web. February 15, 2014. Wald, Matthew L. “Atomic Target: 800 Years of Power from Waste.” Nytimes.com. New York Times, September 24, 2013. Web. February 15, 2014. “Fast Neutron Reactors.” Nuclearworld.org. World Nuclear Association, nd Web. February 17, 2014. Brain, Marshall and Robert Lamb. “How nuclear energy works.” HowStuffWorks.HowStuffWorks.com, October 9, 2000. Web. February 15, 2014. IEE Conference 381