Nuclear fusion is a process where two lighter atomic nuclei merge to form a heavier nucleus, releasing a substantial amount of energy. This is the same process that powers the Sun and other stars, making it a crucial area of research for sustainable energy.
While fusion involves the combination of light nuclei such as hydrogen isotopes to form heavier nuclei, releasing energy, nuclear fission involves the splitting of heavy atomic nuclei like uranium or plutonium into smaller ones. Importantly, fusion generates no long-lived radioactive waste, unlike fission.
Achieving nuclear fusion requires extremely high temperatures, reaching millions of degrees Celsius, to overcome the repulsive forces between positively charged atomic nuclei. This results in a plasma state that must be confined and sustained for fusion to occur.
China's Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) recently achieved plasma confinement for over 17 minutes. Although it did not result in electricity generation, this milestone represents progress towards establishing stable fusion conditions.
Nuclear fusion is considered a clean energy source as it produces minimal waste, utilizes abundant fuel like hydrogen isotopes, and emits no greenhouse gases. It also poses no risk of catastrophic failure, unlike nuclear fission reactors.
The primary challenges in achieving practical fusion include sustaining plasma confinement, managing extreme temperatures, ensuring operational stability, and developing cost-effective, scalable technologies.
In 2022, the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in the U.S. achieved a net energy gain in a fusion reaction for the first time. Additionally, several private companies are projecting grid-scale electricity production from fusion by the 2030s.
The International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) is a global initiative in France aimed at demonstrating the commercial feasibility of fusion energy. It is anticipated to start operations in the 2030s.
Nuclear fusion offers a sustainable energy solution by providing limitless energy with zero carbon emissions, reducing dependency on fossil fuels, and combating global warming.
Experts anticipate that commercial-scale fusion reactors could become viable by mid-century, with pilot projects expected in the 2030s. However, further technological advancements are essential.
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