Nuclear fusion is the energy that powers stars and is a possible energy source for humankind.
US government scientists have made fusion fuel heat itself for the first time ever, using the world’s largest laser.
According to Reuters, this phenomenon is called burning plasma, and while the energy produced was modest, it’s an important step in the efforts to harness fusion energy.
"Fusion requires that we get the fuel incredibly hot in order for it to burn - like a regular fire, but for fusion we need about a hundred million degrees (Fahrenheit). For decades we've been able to cause fusion reactions to occur in experiments by putting a lot of heating into the fuel, but this isn't good enough to produce net energy from fusion."
Compared to fossil fuels, fusion energy is an abundant energy source without pollution, greenhouse gasses, or radioactive waste.
This is a good source of energy for large companies as well, and many of them, including institutions and oil companies, are investing in fusion energy.
In the conducted experiments, fusion energy produced ten times more energy than it went into heating the fuel, but less than 10% of the total amount of laser energy.
However, while the researchers say a lot of investment and innovation is needed to make fusion energy for everyone a reality, they are encouraged by the breakthrough.
Marina is passionate about sustainability and works to help ensure our planet stays as our home for a long time. She takes part in environmental conservation by recycling and not buying single-use plastic. When not writing, she can be found with her nose stuck in a book or trying out new baking recipes.
Renewable Energy ,
One Step Closer Towards Creating Nuclear Fusion Energy
by : Marina Maletic | Published: January 31, 2022
US scientists made a huge breakthrough towards achieving nuclear fusion energy. This is a clean source of energy with a large potential.
Nuclear fusion is the energy that powers stars and is a possible energy source for humankind.
US government scientists have made fusion fuel heat itself for the first time ever, using the world’s largest laser.
According to Reuters, this phenomenon is called burning plasma, and while the energy produced was modest, it’s an important step in the efforts to harness fusion energy.
Compared to fossil fuels, fusion energy is an abundant energy source without pollution, greenhouse gasses, or radioactive waste.
This is a good source of energy for large companies as well, and many of them, including institutions and oil companies, are investing in fusion energy.
In the conducted experiments, fusion energy produced ten times more energy than it went into heating the fuel, but less than 10% of the total amount of laser energy.
However, while the researchers say a lot of investment and innovation is needed to make fusion energy for everyone a reality, they are encouraged by the breakthrough.
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Marina Maletic
Marina is passionate about sustainability and works to help ensure our planet stays as our home for a long time. She takes part in environmental conservation by recycling and not buying single-use plastic. When not writing, she can be found with her nose stuck in a book or trying out new baking recipes.
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