Accomplishments in the fusion energy space are a rare occurrence with new developments only seldom happening. As such, a lab in the US was able to achieve fusion ignition through a complicated procedure of squeezing energy from a diamond capsule.
Fusion Ignition Achieved
According to Science Alert, the US National Ignition Facility (NIF) has achieved a new milestone by squeezing out a sizeable amount of energy from a diamond capsule. The capsule was packed with hydrogen and the energy extracted was enough to enable the fusion reaction to continue.
According to the Lawrence Livermore National Library (LLNL), the last time that the NIF achieved something was in 2022 with its landmark fusion event. Although the results were still from being reliable or self-sustaining, the achievement still provides vital information for further improvements.
As such, fusion ignition would still need to be pushed further in order for it to produce sufficient power for the community. According to the LLNL, the experimental fusion program by the NIF uses some of the most powerful lasers in the world.
Through the use of these lasers, hydrogen atoms are forced into a new configuration, which leaves enough space for energy. Being able to achieve a surplus has long been the goal of many fusion technology innovators.
How Does Fusion Technology Work
Science Alert reports that for fusion to happen, the swirling particles should be hotter than the core of the sun before an excess can be accomplished. The fusion needs to happen within magnetically confined plasma whirlpools.
The NIF used a small chamber the size of a fingernail and plumped it up with blasted rays-soaked hydrogen isotopes. These rays were launched from 192 lasers to accomplish the ideal conditions.
During the first accomplishment, ignition occurred through energy release which was enough for the fusion process to be sustained. Nature reports that the conditions were achieved in December; and after that, the NIF has prepared for a follow-up experiment to see if they can make improvements.
As noted by Financial Times, the NIF said that they did the experiment again on July 30 and that they plan to report their findings at scientific conferences. As such, they also said that they would publish their findings in peer-reviewed publications.
Experiment Results
The NIF was able to achieve 3.5 megajoules, higher than the 3.15 megajoules accomplished in December. As such, over 2 megajoules of the energy came from lasers; but to achieve a fully-functional fusion plant, they would need 100x the laser power pulsing more aggressively every second.
Science Alert reports that Fusion power comes from hydrogen isotopes that are easy to harvest; and once achieved, they would theoretically help open up limitless energy numbers. As such, the energy numbers should be free or at least minimize radioactive waste.
CNET reports that fusion power doesn't contain the same risks as Fukushima and Chernobyl fission reactors or fission reactors in general. However, there was still the issue of high electrical and pressure steam usage.
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