# Fusion Power: Paving the Way for Clean Energy by 2035
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Chapter 1: The Promise of Fusion Energy
The pursuit of carbon-neutral energy has led scientists to focus on fusion, a method that offers a cleaner alternative without the ecological drawbacks associated with solar and wind power, or the radioactive waste linked to nuclear fission. Fusion holds the potential to deliver a nearly infinite energy supply, which could transform our world and help rectify environmental issues. However, achieving a net energy gain from fusion remains a significant challenge. Recently, researchers at the Joint European Torus (JET) in Oxfordshire may have made a groundbreaking advancement.
JET, a fusion reactor shaped like a large doughnut, is equipped with superconducting magnets that manage a hydrogen plasma. This plasma is subjected to extreme temperatures and pressures, enabling some hydrogen atoms to fuse into helium, releasing energy in the process. These reactors are categorized as magnetic confinement reactors.
JET is not the first fusion reactor, but it has played a crucial role in developing technologies that may lead to a functional fusion reactor. In 1997, JET set a record by producing 16 MW of fusion power, although it required 24 MW of input energy, resulting in a net loss of 33%. However, with ongoing improvements and experiments, JET has recently achieved a new milestone.
A recent test produced 11 MW of energy during a five-second fusion reaction. Despite still having a 67% net loss, this longer duration and higher output signify a promising advancement for this elusive energy source. While five seconds may seem brief, it represents a significant duration in the context of fusion reactions, highlighting that maintaining a stable reaction is a crucial step toward harnessing fusion power.
Section 1.1: Overcoming Temperature Loss
One major challenge for magnetic confinement reactors like JET is the loss of heat, which prevents them from achieving a net energy gain. The plasma must reach temperatures ten times hotter than the sun, while the electromagnets must remain supercooled. As fusion reactions occur, the plasma heats up, which in turn warms the magnets, reducing their efficiency and the magnetic pressure on the plasma, thus cutting short the reaction duration. This heat loss has historically limited JET’s fusion reactions.
To address this issue, scientists have developed two innovative solutions.
Subsection 1.1.1: Upgraded Reactor Walls
Previously, JET's reactor walls were made from carbon, which absorbed neutron radiation but also heated up, diverting energy away from the plasma. The walls have now been upgraded to beryllium and tungsten, which absorb ten times less neutron radiation than carbon. These materials also reflect neutrons, helping to retain energy within the plasma and minimize heat loss.
After making these improvements, scientists took time to recalibrate the reactor to work with the new materials, and the results were remarkable: JET achieved its longest fusion reaction to date.
Subsection 1.1.2: Scaling Up for Success
To further enhance performance, scientists are looking beyond JET to a new project called ITER. The principle of the square-cube law suggests that increasing the reactor size will allow for longer-lasting fusion reactions. For example, if you double the side length of a cube, its volume increases by eight times while its surface area only quadruples. This means larger reactors can maintain a higher volume of plasma relative to surface area, helping to retain heat and extend reaction time.
ITER is designed to have ten times the volume of JET and will also feature the upgraded beryllium and tungsten walls. With these enhancements, ITER could sustain fusion reactions for hours or even days, making it a more efficient energy source that could ultimately produce usable energy.
Chapter 2: The Future of Fusion Energy
Despite initial skepticism about the effectiveness of the beryllium and tungsten walls during ITER’s planning phase, JET’s recent successes lend credibility to the project. With proven materials, it is now anticipated that ITER will achieve prolonged fusion reactions and potentially generate net energy gains. This promising outlook is likely to attract increased investment and expedite the development of the ITER project.
The first video titled "Nuclear Fusion Illusion: Is it Time to Park the Pipe Dream?" discusses the current state of fusion research and the challenges faced.
The second video, "When Will We FINALLY Achieve Fusion Power?" explores the timeline and expectations for achieving practical fusion energy.
While the dream of a fusion-powered, eco-friendly future is still distant, the significant advancements being made bring us closer to realizing that vision.