The Z-pinch in A&A’s FuZE Lab
Nuclear fusion powers the stars and offers the promise of unlimited, clean energy on Earth.
But controlled thermonuclear fusion in the lab usually requires large and expensive magnetic field coils to stably confine burning plasma, ionized nuclei that collide to initiate nuclear fusion. A&A’s Fusion Z-Pinch Experiments (FuZE) Lab has demonstrated a smaller, cheaper method: We have measured sustained nuclear fusion for the first time from a 50-cm long plasma column called a Z-pinch. This method compresses a flowing plasma using electromagnetic forces, which drive the plasma to higher temperatures and densities.
While the Z-pinch is not a new plasma confinement concept, it was largely abandoned as a path for fusion energy because the plasma was not stable, which limited how long it could be confined. To get around this issue, we exploited the fact that flows can stabilize plasma, and our flowing plasma was maintained five thousand times longer than a static plasma. We also observed the sustained release of telltale energetic neutrons signaling nuclear fusion. Because this approach provides a path to nuclear fusion without coils, it could be used in the future for long-duration fusion burns in a compact and low-cost device.
Learn more: Plasma flows may provide the missing ingredient to a cheaper, more compact route to nuclear fusion
The Latest on: Nuclear fusion
via Google News
The Latest on: Nuclear fusion
- Korean scientists detect nuclear fusion instabilities with simulation codeon August 1, 2022 at 4:03 am
A team at South Korea's National Fusion Research Institute has developed a nuclear fusion simulation code to prevent the toroidal Alfven eigenmode (TAE) instability.
- Inside France’s super-cooled, laser-powered nuclear test labon August 1, 2022 at 4:00 am
How can a country maintain nuclear warheads without live demonstrations? France is working with Lawrence Livermore on a potential solution.
- Nuclear fission is a 'pact with the devil', fusion promises to be a clean alternative: CEOon July 31, 2022 at 6:13 pm
With global energy demands set to double, Michl Binderbauer, CEO of TAE Technologies, believes that fusion technology provides the answer to clean and sustainable energy even in infrastructure-starved ...
- How to train robotic arms to handle nuclear fusion? Get them to play Jengaon July 29, 2022 at 4:01 pm
It takes a steady hand to feed the fuel into one of the world’s most advanced nuclear experiments, so when you build a robotic arm for the task, of course you ...
- Inside the UK’s Silicon Valley for nuclear fusion, where unlimited energy is becoming a realityon July 27, 2022 at 8:00 pm
For decades, the technology to develop clean, safe fusion power has remained tantalisingly out of reach. Now, though, a new breed of start-ups could have cracked it at last. Will we finally be able to ...
- MIT Nuclear Fusion Spin-Off and U.K. Join To Pursue Limitless Clean Energyon July 27, 2022 at 8:41 am
If scientists can crack it, fusion offers a clean, powerful and virtually limitless source of energy that is safer than current nuclear power plants.
- New magnet breakthrough could unleash smaller, more potent fusion reactorson July 26, 2022 at 8:16 am
A group of researchers from Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory found a way to build powerful magnets much smaller than ever before.
- Brexit Britain poised to commercialise nuclear fusion with US deal in energy breakthroughon July 26, 2022 at 6:56 am
BRITAIN'S nuclear body is ready to harness limitless energy from nuclear fusion with a major new deal with a US-based firm.
- Nuclear Fusion Energy Edges Closer With Super Magnets for Smaller Tokamakson July 26, 2022 at 6:03 am
Smaller, more powerful magnets could help engineers improve the geometry of spherical tokamaks—fusion reactors that contain superheated plasma.
- The Differences Between Nuclear Fission and Fusionon July 21, 2022 at 6:49 pm
If scientists can solve the remaining puzzle pieces behind these technologies, both nuclear fission and fusion are poised to have a big impact on the world’s energy reserves and green energy efforts ...
via Bing News
