Nuclear fusion, the process of smashing two hydrogen nuclei together, holds the key to limitless clean energy. Experts explain the difference between nuclear fusion and fission, the importance of plasma, and the unique design of a tokamak. The podcast also explores the size and engineering marvels of the tokamak building that houses the ITER fusion experiment. They discuss the timeline for ITER's full operation and the possibility of smaller reactors. Plus, the episode ends with heartwarming acknowledgments and a vet's heifer birthing story.
Nuclear fusion, a promising power source, requires merging two atoms together to release energy and offers advantages over fission in terms of safety and waste production.
The development of fusion power faces challenges, including the need to achieve energy breakeven and the race between international collaboration and private companies, but its potential for clean and abundant energy could revolutionize the world's energy landscape.
Deep dives
Nuclear Fusion: The Quest for Clean Energy
Nuclear fusion is a highly anticipated power source that could provide clean, endless energy. It involves fusing two atoms together, which releases a significant amount of energy. Unlike nuclear fission, fusion produces minimal radioactive waste and is considered safer. However, achieving controlled fusion on Earth is challenging due to the immense temperatures and pressures required. The tokamak, a donut-shaped device that uses magnetic fields to confine a superheated plasma, is a leading design for fusion reactors. While the international project ITER aims to demonstrate fusion's feasibility, private companies have also joined the race to bring fusion power closer to reality. If successful, fusion could revolutionize energy production and even enable advanced space travel.
The Difference Between Fission and Fusion
Fission and fusion are two processes that convert matter into energy. In fission, an atom is split into two, releasing energy. On the other hand, fusion involves merging two atoms into one, also releasing energy. The energy in fusion reactions comes from the mass difference between the fused nucleus and its constituent particles. Fusion offers several advantages over fission, including a higher energy yield and the potential to create less radioactive waste. While fission relies on uranium as a fuel, fusion primarily uses hydrogen.
The Challenges of Achieving Fusion Power
Despite its promise, the development of fusion power faces significant challenges. One major hurdle is the need to achieve energy breakeven, where more energy is produced than is inputted into the system. The international collaboration ITER aims to demonstrate energy breakeven by 2035 with its tokamak design. Private companies have also joined the race, driven by the desire for faster progress and commercial viability. The size of fusion reactors is also a consideration, with efforts underway to develop smaller and more practical designs. Successful fusion power could provide clean and abundant energy, revolutionizing the world's energy landscape.
The Potential of Fusion Power for Space Travel
Fusion power holds the potential to revolutionize space travel. Its ability to release massive amounts of energy from a small amount of fuel makes it an attractive option for powering rockets. Traditional chemical rockets pale in comparison to the energy density of fusion reactions. With fusion-powered rockets, humanity could explore the universe beyond our own solar system. Fusion's high energy output and efficiency make it a promising candidate for propelling future space missions.
What do you get if you smash two hydrogen nuclei together? Helium and lots of energy. That’s no joke – it's nuclear fusion!
Nuclear fusion is the power source of the sun and the stars. Physicists and engineers here on earth are trying to build reactors than can harness fusion power to provide limitless clean energy. But it’s tricky...
Rutherford and Fry are joined by Dr Melanie Windridge, plasma physicist and CEO of Fusion Energy Insights, who explains why the fourth state of matter – plasma – helps get fusion going, and why a Russian doughnut was a key breakthrough on the path to fusion power.
Dr Sharon Ann Holgate, author of Nuclear Fusion: The Race to Build a Mini Sun on Earth, helps our sleuths distinguish the more familiar nuclear fission (famous for powerful bombs) from the cleaner and much less radioactive nuclear fusion.
And plasma physicist (another one!) Dr Arthur Turrell describes the astonishing amount of investment and innovation going on to try and get fusion power working at a commercial scale.
Contributors: Dr Melanie Windridge, Dr Sharon Ann Holgate, Dr Arthur Turrell
Producer: Ilan Goodman
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