Archive for the ‘nuclear energy’ category: Page 49
Nov 3, 2015
World’s Largest Nuclear Fusion Reactor
Posted by Josef Koch in categories: nuclear energy, supercomputing
This is the world’s largest nuclear fusion reactor launching this month in Germany. And it was designed by a supercomputer…
Oct 30, 2015
Germany is about to start up a monster machine that could revolutionize the way we use energy
Posted by Sean Brazell in categories: nuclear energy, physics, singularity
This is the energy source that will power the Singularity.
And everything else, too.
Oct 28, 2015
‘Stellarator’ Reactor’s Strange Twisted Design Can Finally Make Fusion Power A Reality
Posted by Shailesh Prasad in categories: nuclear energy, particle physics
Researchers are getting ready to turn on the world’s biggest ‘Stellarator’ fusion reactor. Called Wendelstein 7-X (W7-X), the reactor can uninterruptedly contain super-hot plasma for more than 30 minutes at a time. Scientists claim the rare design, which is contained in a giant lab in Greifswald, Germany, can finally help make fusion power a reality. Comprising super-hot plasma for long durations has been the Holy Grail for nuclear reactor designs, and can help researchers to deliver an inexhaustible source of power. Fusion reactors, for instance the W7-X, work by using two isotopes of hydrogen atoms — deuterium and tritium — and inserting that gas into a restraint vessel. Researcher then add energy that eliminates the electrons from their host atoms, creating what is described as an ion plasma, which discharges enormous amounts of energy.
Oct 23, 2015
Feature: The bizarre reactor that might save nuclear fusion
Posted by Jeremy Lichtman in category: nuclear energy
Some nice photos of odd-looking components.
Germany’s new stellarator was “hell on Earth” to build, but it will be worth it—if it works.
Oct 18, 2015
Amazing promises of nuclear fusion: How close are we?
Posted by Aleksandar Vukovic in categories: nuclear energy, sustainability
“Tens of billions of dollars have been spent in the past 60 years, entire careers have been invested, but the ability to produce a commercially viable nuclear fusion reactor remains undemonstrated.”
For 60 years the world’s been waiting for cheap, clean, safe, sustainable power from nuclear fusion. Are we there yet?
Oct 14, 2015
If it works, this could power everything
Posted by Sean Brazell in category: nuclear energy
The sun powers itself through nuclear fusion. CNN’s Rachel Crane explores whether we could power everything on Earth the same way.
Oct 8, 2015
Fusion reactors ‘economically viable’ in a few decades, say experts
Posted by Sean Brazell in categories: engineering, nuclear energy
An illustration of a tokamak with plasma (credit: ITER Organization)
Fusion reactors could become an economically viable means of generating electricity within a few decades, replacing conventional nuclear power stations, according to new research at Durham University and Culham Centre for Fusion Energy in Oxfordshire, U.K.
The research, published in the journal Fusion Engineering and Design, builds on earlier findings that a fusion power plant could generate electricity at a price similar to that of a fission plant and identifies new advantages in using new superconductor technology.
Sep 26, 2015
Small-scale nuclear fusion may be a new energy source
Posted by Gerard Bain in category: nuclear energy
Fusion energy may soon be used in small-scale power stations. This means producing environmentally friendly heating and electricity at a low cost from fuel found in water. Both heating generators and generators for electricity could be developed within a few years, according to research that has primarily been conducted at the University of Gothenburg.
Nuclear fusion is a process whereby atomic nuclei melt together and release energy. Because of the low binding energy of the tiny atomic nuclei, energy can be released by combining two small nuclei with a heavier one. A collaboration between researchers at the University of Gothenburg and the University of Iceland has been to study a new type of nuclear fusion process. This produces almost no neutrons but instead fast, heavy electrons (muons), since it is based on nuclear reactions in ultra-dense heavy hydrogen (deuterium).
“This is a considerable advantage compared to other nuclear fusion processes which are under development at other research facilities, since the neutrons produced by such processes can cause dangerous flash burns,” says Leif Holmlid, Professor Emeritus at the University of Gothenburg.
