Nuclear fusion reactions power the Sun and other stars. In a fusion reaction, two light nuclei fuse to form a single heavier nucleus. The process releases energy because the total mass of the resulting single nucleus is less than the mass of the two original nuclei. The remaining mass becomes energy. Einstein's equation (E=mc2), which says in part that mass and energy can be converted into each other, explains why this process occurs. If scientists develop a way to harness fusion energy in machines on Earth, it could be an important method of energy production.
Fusion can involve many different elements in the periodic table. However, researchers working on fusion energy applications are especially interested in the deuterium-tritium (DT) fusion reaction. DT fusion produces a neutron and a helium nucleus. In the process, it also releases much more energy than most fusion reactions. In a potential future fusion power plant, such as a tokamak or stellarator, neutrons from DT reactions would generate energy for our use. Researchers focus on DT reactions because they produce large amounts of energy and occur at lower temperatures than other elements.
Ever since the theory of nuclear fusion was understood in the 1930s, scientists - and increasingly engineers as well - have sought to recreate and harness it. That's because, if nuclear fusion can be replicated on Earth on an industrial scale, it can provide virtually unlimited clean, safe and affordable energy to meet world demand.
Fusion could generate four times more energy per kilogram of fuel than fission (used in nuclear power plants) and nearly four million times more energy than burning oil or coal.
Most fusion reactor concepts under development will use a mixture of deuterium and tritium - hydrogen atoms that contain extra neutrons. In theory, with just a few grams of these reagents, it is possible to produce a terajoule of energy, which is roughly the energy a person in a developed country needs over the course of sixty years.
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5 авг 2024
