2023-08-06 23:33:47
Researchers at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California obtained a net increase in energy for the second time.
A group of scientists from the United States achieved a very important milestone for the second time: a net energy gain in a nuclear fusion reaction. This result fuels the dream of a near future with unlimited energy and zero carbon emissions.
The researchers of the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California reported on July 30 a key advance in their experimental research, after obtaining a net increase in energy in a fusion reaction that produces more energy than is consumed in the process, as published by the Financial Times.
Previously, in December 2022, they had registered a breakthrough, when experimental research allowed them to obtain a first “ignition”. However, the recent repetition of this experiment gave them a higher energy output than the first.
The lab, from the NIF fusion research project National Ignition Facility) confirmed thate energy had been regained in its laser installation and added: “As is our usual practice, we plan to report these results at upcoming scientific conferences and in peer-reviewed publications.”
One of the chambers in the laboratory in California where controlled ignition by nuclear fusion was achieved. AFP photo.
But, how do you get the fusion? It is a process that consists of heating two isotopes of hydrogen -generally deuterium and tritium- to such extreme temperatures that atomic nuclei fuse, releasing helium and large amounts of energy in the form of neutrons.
Although many scientists believe that fusion power plants are still decades away, the potential of this technology is hard to ignore. Fusion reactions emit no carbon, produce no long-lived radioactive waste, and in theory a small cup of hydrogen fuel could power a house for hundreds of years.
The potential of fusion energy
The most studied method, known as magnetic confinement fusionuses huge magnets to hold the fuel in place as it heats up to temperatures above that of the sun.
For its part, the NIF uses a different process, called inertial confinement fusionin which he fires the world’s largest laser at a tiny fuel capsule, triggering an implosion.
US Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm described the ignition achievement in December 2022 as “one of the most impressive scientific feats of the 21st century.” In that experiment, the reaction produced about 3.15 megajoules (measure used in physics to talk about energy): that is, about 150% of the 2.05MJ of lasers.
Two of the people with knowledge of the preliminary results said that “initial data from the July experiment indicated a power output of more than 3.5MJ.” That energy would be enough to power a household iron for about an hour.
The system uses 192 laser beams that converge at the center of this giant sphere to implode a small pellet of hydrogen fuel. AP Photo
Achieving a net increase in energy has for decades been considered a crucial step in demonstrating that commercial fusion plants are possible. However, there are still several obstacles to overcome.
In this experimental context, the energy gain only compares the energy generated with that coming from the lasers, not with the total amount of power drawn from the grid to power the system, which is much higher. Scientists calculate that commercial fusion will require reactions that generate between 30 and 100 times the energy of lasers.
A service system elevator that allows technicians to access the interior of the target chamber for inspection and maintenance at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. AFP photo
Also, the NIF project takes at most one shot per day, whereas an internally contained plant would likely need to complete several shots per second.
“However, the improved results at the NIF, which comes just eight months after the initial breakthrough, is yet another sign that the pace of progress is increasing“said one of the people with knowledge of the results.
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