Designing Fusion Reactor Components, Einsteins Relativity, & Why I Run
The Limitless Mindset | Rayan Alyousef
Hello there! I'm Rayan — a nuclear fusion technical writer engrossed with the pursuit of fusion research. Energy abundance exponentially accelerates technological innovation, thus I’ve made it my mission to do so for the 21st century. That’s the dream, and this is my journey.
TL;DR:
Designing an Energy Capture System for Tokamak Reactors.
Studying Einstein’s Genius.
Why Running is Key to My Mental Growth.
Designing & Simulating an Energy Capture System for Tokamaks
Recently, I was scouring the career pages of different nuclear fusion companies when I stumbled across this opening for a Thermal Fluid Design Engineer. Specifically, CFS is looking for someone to design the cooling system for the tokamak, a core component in capturing the produced energy. Logically, the only next step was for me to try and design it myself.
Designing a cooling system entails a few disciplines of mastery: 3D CAD Design, Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) simulations, and expertise in thermal and heat transfer.
I’m beginning with the most actionable, understanding thermal and heat transfer in tokamaks. Answering questions like “What forms of heat are produced from the plasma?” And “at what magnitudes?”. I’ve just wrapped up this learning and compiled it into a fancy visual.
As Plain Text
As Fancy Visuals (all made from scratch)
Although there’s infinitely more to learn, I’ll learn extraordinarily more out on the playing field, as opposed to the drawing board. I’m now beginning to learn and understand the tools of 3D Design, with a goal of drawing up a rough sketch design in the next couple of weeks.
Special & General Relativity — Book of the Month
While I rarely dedicate myself to reading only one book at a time, Einstein’s Theories have grasped my curiosity for quite some time. Not so much the theories themselves but Einstein’s ability to construct an understanding from first principles and continually believe in himself despite all the naysayers. Not only am I reading his book, but I’m also listening to his autobiography that’s been recollected by Walter Isaacson. I presume that if I can grasp just a slither of his genius, I too can change the world!
Everything you Know is Relative — Except Nature
Among what constructs the basis of his general theory is the fact position can only be relative.
Here’s a thought experiment: Think of any object, thing, person, planet… whatever, and attempt to describe It’s position. You should quickly realize that It’s position can be described only in relation to another thing.
During a recent walk pondering over this concept, I realized that not only is position relative, but all other things we know are true. We only know good because we know bad, and we only know joy because we know sad.
The only concepts which constantly hold true without relation to other concepts are those of nature. Perhaps that’s why I’m so drawn to physics—Because it describes among the only ideas that can be definitively defined and will always be true.
Why I Go for Run’s (not for exercise)
In a week, I’ll run somewhere between 3-4x. Running has become crucial to my personal growth, and It’s not for the exercise.
Our Biology is Outdated
Our brains have evolved to optimize for survival constantly. In our day-to-day lives, this instinct manifests in the form of being comfortable.
Conversely, our brain hates exerting energy and is horrible at calculating long-term benefits. That’s why sitting on the couch all day, eating junk food, and watching Netflix is so desirable. Because It’s low-energy, low-effort, and gives us a lot of short-term rewards (Dopamine).
Running Tells You the Truth
When you run, you endure lots of agony. And if you push yourself to the edge of your limits, all your deep-rooted lies that distort your reality will surface. In those moments of agony, you see yourself for the truth, no BS.
If I’m ever facing a problem and unsure how to overcome it, I go for a run. Seeing myself for the truth often leads me to the obvious next step that I’m not seeing in my distorted reality.
Building Resilience through Intentional Pain Exposure
I figure anyone chasing great pursuits needs to have a savage amount of control over their mind. We cannot succumb to the short-term desires that are long-outdated in our evolution. Running is the way I fight this. When you run, your decision-making and instincts are constantly clashing. Your brain wants to stop and be comfortable. BUT If you fight back and win repeatedly, you’ll build a savage sense of resilience and self-control.
insane progress, keep up the grind my g, this stuff is exponential, next month's gonna be even crazier