 |
Purpose: The article discusses recent advances in fusion energy as well as some of the physics/engineering limitations and challenges. It presents a simplified discussion of the fundamentals of fusion energy to enable a non-technical reader to put the recent advances and challenges into context. The article aims to provide a broad view of fusion energy and the different approaches pursued and presents discussion on economic competitiveness of fusion with other sources of energy. |
| Purpose: The article presents my up-to-date perspective on the origin of COVID-19 and how the media has handled the matter. I explain that the debate on COVID origins remains speculative in nature. While the virus is likely natural in origin, it is unknown whether or not it emerged in humans as a result of lab-related activity. I address questions like media bias and its long-term consequences on public trust in science. |
 |
 |
Purpose: On the 76th anniversary of the Trinity nuclear test near Alamogordo, New Mexico that started the atomic age, I explain why few countries were able to develop nuclear weapons in the 20th century and what might change in the 21st. Despite the success of the nuclear non-proliferation regime in the last five decades, I explain why more effective policy would be necessary in the 21st century especially as developing countries become more industrialized and technology reduces the time and resources needed to acquire nuclear weapons. |
| Purpose: In this invited article published on the 75th anniversary of Hiroshima, I deliver a concise summary of fission nuclear energy and explore the future of nuclear energy. The article focuses on fast spectrum breeder reactors and their potential to improve resource utilization. |
 |
 |
Purpose: The article explains the need for forensics and thorough, non-speculative research to track the source of the COVID-19 outbreak. I first explain the difference between a conspiracy theory and a sound scientific hypothesis. I then point out flaws in the famous Nature Medicine correspondence by Andersen et al and briefly discuss the circumstantial evidence that suggests that a lab leak involving a natural virus is a plaussible scenario in the case of SARS-CoV2. I discuss the need to obtain RaTG13 samples to conduct independent sequencing and verification. |
| Purpose: This article explains that the nature of a virus and its source are two different things. I discuss why a real answer on the source of the virus matters and that no scenarios could be prematurely ruled out no matter how inconvenient they may sound. The intent isn't to blame China in case of a lab accident but to think if the massive sampling of bat viruses prevents disease or if it brings viruses from remote caves to cities. |
 |
|
|