Scientists at a reactor in southern France have achieved a significant milestone in the development of fusion energy by maintaining hot plasma at 50 million degrees Celsius for 6 minutes continuously. This breakthrough brings fusion energy closer to becoming a reality, with the ultimate goal of sustaining the plasma for many hours in the future.
Meanwhile, researchers at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) in New Jersey have announced that their device, known as WEST, was able to create super-hot plasma at a record temperature for 6 consecutive minutes. WEST is a tokamak fusion reactor, resembling a donut-shaped device that aims to replicate the energy production of the Sun. Scientists refer to these machines as “Artificial Suns” as they strive to create a sun-like environment on Earth.
Fusion reactions, where atomic nuclei combine to release energy, are different from the fission reactions in current nuclear reactors. Fusion energy has the potential to be much more powerful than existing forms of energy, with significantly higher energy production per kilogram of fuel and without carbon emissions. While WEST is not generating electricity for households, it serves as a test reactor to advance fusion technology for future commercial reactors.
WEST’s latest achievement is crucial for establishing the foundation for commercial fusion reactors, including ITER, the world’s largest tokamak reactor under construction in France. ITER aims to sustain plasma combustion for extended periods when completed, and experiments at facilities like WEST directly contribute to ITER’s development. Scientists are working to overcome challenges related to high temperatures, energy requirements, and the behavior of materials such as tungsten in fusion reactors.
By testing different materials and diagnostic tools, researchers at PPPL are gaining valuable insights into optimizing fusion reactor walls and plasma interactions. The results of WEST’s experiments will be published in professional journals, contributing to the ongoing research efforts in the field of fusion energy. As