The ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor) project is the world’s largest fusion energy experiment, located in southern France. Its primary purpose is to demonstrate the feasibility of nuclear fusion—the very process that powers the Sun—as a clean, safe, and virtually limitless source of energy.
Fusion involves the merging of light nuclei, such as deuterium and tritium, which releases energy without producing long-lived radioactive waste. In contrast, fission, the method currently used in nuclear reactors, splits heavy atoms and generates hazardous radioactive by-products.
A tokamak is a toroidal (donut-shaped) chamber designed to confine and control plasma using superconducting magnets. This plasma is heated to temperatures exceeding 150 million °C, allowing hydrogen isotopes to fuse and release high-energy neutrons.
ITER is often referred to as the "Artificial Sun" because it replicates the same fusion reactions that occur in the Sun, albeit in a controlled environment on Earth.
The central solenoid is a significant component of ITER, being the largest and most powerful magnet ever constructed. It creates a strong magnetic field that is crucial for initiating and sustaining plasma current, thus enabling fusion. Without this magnet, maintaining stable plasma confinement would be impossible.
The ITER project involves participation from 35 nations, including India, China, the United States, Russia, Japan, South Korea, and various members of the European Union.
India officially joined the ITER project in 2005 and contributes nearly 9% of the project's total construction cost. Key components provided by India include:
The cryostat is noteworthy as it is the largest stainless-steel, high-vacuum pressure chamber ever constructed. Its role is akin to that of a giant refrigerator, keeping the supercooled magnets at cryogenic temperatures essential for superconductivity.
Prime Minister Modi’s visit to ITER highlights India’s strategic interest in clean energy technologies and its commitment to global scientific collaboration and leadership in fusion research.
India’s involvement in ITER grants early access to advanced fusion technology, bolsters domestic capabilities in high-tech manufacturing, and promises opportunities for future clean energy applications.
Indeed, several Indian companies and institutions, including L&T, BHEL, and the Institute for Plasma Research (IPR), are actively engaged in the ITER project. India is also investigating indigenous fusion research to secure long-term energy needs.
If successful, ITER could pave the way for commercial fusion reactors by mid-century, fundamentally transforming energy systems worldwide and significantly reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
Q1. What is the main goal of the ITER project?
Answer: The main goal of the ITER project is to demonstrate the feasibility of nuclear fusion as a clean and limitless energy source, replicating the fusion processes that power the Sun.
Q2. How does fusion energy benefit the environment?
Answer: Fusion energy produces minimal radioactive waste and does not emit greenhouse gases, making it a significantly cleaner alternative to fossil fuels and traditional nuclear fission.
Q3. When is the first plasma operation scheduled to begin?
Answer: The first plasma operation at ITER is scheduled to start in 2033, marking a significant milestone in the project's timeline.
Q4. What role does India play in the ITER project?
Answer: India is a key contributor to ITER, responsible for nearly 9% of construction costs and providing important components such as the cryostat and various diagnostic equipment.
Q5. Why is ITER considered critical for future energy solutions?
Answer: ITER is critical because successful fusion technology could lead to commercial fusion reactors, fundamentally changing global energy systems and reducing reliance on fossil fuels by mid-century.
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of the ITER project?
A) To develop fission technology
B) To demonstrate nuclear fusion
C) To create renewable energy sources
D) To study black hole physics
Correct Answer: B
Question 2: What type of chamber is used in ITER for plasma confinement?
A) Spherical
B) Cubical
C) Cylindrical
D) Toroidal
Correct Answer: D
Question 3: Which country is responsible for the largest component, the cryostat, in ITER?
A) USA
B) China
C) India
D) France
Correct Answer: C
Question 4: When did India officially
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