Boron and a nuclear Turkey

Марта 23, 2010

In his forecast for the 21st century, “The Next 100 Years,” George Friedman claims that Turkey will be a superpower within the next few decades. His arguments are suitably based on an upcoming cold war between the US and Russia.

The US would arm Turkey for a possible standoff, and when the Russians are defeated Turkey would remain powerful. There certainly are doubts over such a chain of events, but Turkey has something that can make it a world player if not an energy giant: boron. The most modest estimations say that 72 percent of all boron remains underground in the western Anatolian plains. Since boron is one of the best nuclear fusion fuels to date (if not the best), any breakthrough could catapult this young nation to the top of the energy providers.
The fact that boron was once used as rocket fuel is usually at the epicenter of the talks, heading to intentional undermining by the establishment, since no one wants an energy-independent Turkey. Thinking about how rocket fuel could run everyday transportation is a waste of time and certainly none should give it any thought.
In fact, if developed as a fusion fuel, boron could revolutionize how we live. Energy would be abundant and cheap, and best of all, without any environmental risk: no greenhouse gases, no nuclear waste. Only a few helium atoms would scatter at a trip to the grocery store.
A proud Turk would hope that the Turkish administration is free of those yes men, but instead what it is doing is devising strategies for a nuclear Turkey. Sadly, the lack of an awareness of such alternatives is the situation, since there is no specific fusion institute established in any of the 100+ universities inside Turkish borders. It would be hard to find a world-renowned fusion expert of Turkish origin, and a Turkish boron expert does not even exist.
Saving the world is not as easy as it seems. As Turkey is struggling to build its first ever nuclear power plant, it’s hard to envision a significant investment in developing boron-based fusion fuel. As Erdogan’s cabinet has their hands full with domestic and international politics, the Turkish tea parties have a lot to talk about, like why the government is selling boron at the price of sandstone.

"Today's Zaman" 22/03/10