Landmark experiments smash energy record for nuclear fusion

In 1991, scientists working on a pioneering energy facility made a a momentous breakthrough, achieving the controlled release of nuclear fusion power for the first time. In 1997, the Joint European Torus (JET) tokamak reactor was then used to set an en… Continue reading Landmark experiments smash energy record for nuclear fusion

Chinese tokamak keeps plasma 2.6 times as hot as the Sun for 17 minutes

Good news for fusion energy progress and a new world record for the Chinese Academy of Sciences, as its Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST), or “artifical sun,” maintains 70 million degrees Celsius (126 million °F) for 1,056 seconds.Co… Continue reading Chinese tokamak keeps plasma 2.6 times as hot as the Sun for 17 minutes

Fueling Up For Fusion: MAST’s Super-X, JET’s Deuterium-Tritium Experiments For ITER, And More

We’ve had nuclear fission reactors in operation all over the world for ages, but nuclear fusion always seems to be a decade or two away. While one cannot predict when …read more Continue reading Fueling Up For Fusion: MAST’s Super-X, JET’s Deuterium-Tritium Experiments For ITER, And More

China claims new fusion record with its “artificial sun” nuclear reactor

China’s Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) is one of a number of promising nuclear fusion research devices in operation around the world, and over the past few years we’ve seen it take some impressive steps forward. Chinese state medi… Continue reading China claims new fusion record with its “artificial sun” nuclear reactor

Four ways to fusion: The pros and pitfalls of our nuclear power pursuit

For nearly a century, scientists have been tantalized by the prospect of attaining an inexhaustible source of energy through nuclear fusion. Unfortunately, engineering a controlled environment where atomic nuclei can continuously fuse under extreme pre… Continue reading Four ways to fusion: The pros and pitfalls of our nuclear power pursuit

Twenty Seconds at 100 Megakelvins

The Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research (KSTAR) magnetic fusion reactor claimed a new record last month — containing hydrogen plasma at 100 megakelvins for 20 seconds. For reference, the core temperature of the Earth’s Sun is a mere 15 megakelvins, although to be fair, it has been in operation quite …read more

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Assembly begins on ITER, the world’s largest nuclear fusion reactor

Lured by the prospect of nearly inexhaustible source of clean energy, scientists have been investigating nuclear fusion reactors for decades, but a new facility taking shape in southern France will provide them with their biggest proving ground yet. IT… Continue reading Assembly begins on ITER, the world’s largest nuclear fusion reactor

Nuclear Fusion At 100: The Hidden Race For Energy Supremacy

It’s hardly a secret that nuclear fusion has had a rough time when it comes to its image in the media: the miracle power source that is always ‘just ten years away’.  Even if no self-respecting physicist would ever make such a statement, the arrival of commercial nuclear fusion power …read more

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