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Nuclear Fusion Research Looks to Secure the Future of Energy
POWERING THE FUTURE
Nuclear Fusion Research Looks to Secure

the Future of Energy

By Maurizio Di Paolo Emilio

lobal power demand is expected to are close enough to each other in the plasma However, the extremely high heat (and,
double by 2040 and could increase state (the so-called fourth state of matter). hence, energy) required to heat a
fivefold by 2060 as electrification Isotopes of a given element vary according hydrogen-containing gas would pull an elec-
Gexpands to new applications. One to the number of neutrons. The nucleus of a tron off its nucleus, leaving it with only its
solution for meeting that demand, currently hydrogen atom is created by a single proton, positive charge (ionization). Furthermore, at
being pursued by researchers around the and hydrogen isotopes differ depending on these temperatures, the hydrogen gas would
globe, is to build nuclear-fusion power plants the other particles: Deuterium has a nucleus have two separate currents — one negative,
capable of supplying grid-scale electricity with one proton and one neutron, tritium has from the electrons torn from the nucleus,
with zero emissions of climate-altering gases. two neutrons, hydrogen-4 has three neutrons, and the other positive, from the surviving
The technology would replicate the pro- and so on. protons — and the gas would become a
cesses of the sun, which has been releasing a In the transfer of mass into energy, plasma. Magnetic fields would affect the
tremendous amount of energy for millions of nuclear-fusion reactions use Einstein’s ratio: currents created at this location. Only a
years by converting matter through nuclear E = mc . Positively charged nuclei will tend to magnetic field would be able to capture and
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fusion, including the transition of hydrogen repel each other, so the hydrogen nuclei must confine the plasma in its coils, keeping it
isotopes into helium atoms. Everything in be able to approach very close to other hydro- away from the containment walls.
nature, as we all know, tends to a condition of gen nuclei that still have protons in order to A magnetic confinement reactor called a
the least potential energy, and we all tend to achieve the fusion goal. This allows nuclear tokamak uses a toroidal (doughnut-shaped)
the ideal state of rest. An item held 1 meter forces to bind them together, resulting in a container structure. While substantial energy
from the ground will fall to the ground if heavier particle. will be needed to create the plasma and
released; i.e., it will gravitate to a state of keep it contained, the energy generated by
minimal potential energy — in this instance, TEMPERATURE AND PLASMA nuclear fusion exceeds the energy expended
gravitational energy. High-temperature heat thermally agitates to get it. The gain factor is the proportion of
Although potential energy at the atomic particles, and the resultant disordered motion energy gained versus energy wasted (Q). It’s
level has a different nature, everything works could help them bind. If they are positively also important that the plasma remain stable
in a similar way. In the fusion reaction, the charged, they will repel each other, so it will — i.e., contained — for an extended period.
nuclei of two isotopes fuse so that they both be necessary to reach a temperature of at Temperature and confinement duration are
go to a lower energy state, releasing the least 100 million degrees Celsius for fusion critical criteria for demonstrating nuclear IMAGE: SHUTTERSTOCK
excess energy. However, the fusion reaction to occur. Such high temperatures are difficult fusion’s potential.
requires very high-pressure and high- to achieve due to the difficulty of locating In tokamak reactors, the hot plasma flows
temperature environments so that the nuclei suitable material for use as a container. are enclosed within the toroidal container,

MARCH 2022 | www.eetimes.eu