Short Wave A Step Closer To Nuclear Fusion Energy
Dec 15, 2022
Researchers at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory have made a groundbreaking leap in nuclear fusion by achieving a net energy gain for the first time. They used powerful lasers to ignite a tiny hydrogen pellet, generating more energy than consumed. This milestone has been pursued for over fifty years and brings us closer to the promise of clean energy. However, significant challenges remain before fusion can become a practical energy source. The potential impact of this technology on the future of energy production is immense.
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Early Fusion Work
- Arati Prabhakar worked on nuclear fusion in 1978 as a 19-year-old.
- Decades later, the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, where she worked, announced a fusion breakthrough.
Fusion Milestone
- Researchers used 192 laser beams to implode a peppercorn-sized target containing hydrogen fuel, achieving fusion.
- The fusion released more energy (3.15 megajoules) than the lasers directly delivered (2.05 megajoules), a significant milestone.
Practical Challenges
- While a scientific breakthrough, practical application faces challenges like rapid laser pulsing and debris management.
- Ryan McBride doubts laser fusion can produce power soon, estimating it's decades away.