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
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The Latest on: Nuclear fusion
- Nuclear fusion prototype will be 'UK's Nasa moment'on July 24, 2024 at 11:29 pm
A nuclear fusion energy plant being built in Nottinghamshire has been described as the "UK's Nasa moment" as it races to become the first of its type in the world. The experimental work, based at the ...
- Inside the High-Stakes Battle for Nuclear Fusion Supremacyon July 24, 2024 at 2:00 pm
China is rapidly closing the gap in the race for nuclear fusion, leveraging its massive workforce, extensive supply chains, and state-backed investments to challenge US leadership in the field.
- Nottinghamshire’s nuclear fusion prototype will be ‘UK’s NASA moment’on July 24, 2024 at 4:08 am
Called Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP), the project will be constructed by 2040. It would bring with it hundreds of highly-skilled jobs to Nottinghamshire for decades, and was described ...
- Gov't to chase 'artificial sun' with $866 million investment in nuclear fusion reactor developmenton July 23, 2024 at 10:30 pm
The Ministry of Science and ICT announced a 1.2 trillion won budget to be spent over 10 years to develop nuclear fusion reactor components.
- UW scientists break new ground on nuclear fusion, which could be the future of energyon July 23, 2024 at 8:23 am
Phones, microwaves, refrigerators, cars – virtually everything we rely on today needs energy. Every year, the amount of energy needed goes up.
- US scientists cool nuclear fusion reactor with liquid lithium breakthroughon July 23, 2024 at 5:31 am
Researchers at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory are using liquid lithium to cool down fusion reactors. In addition to helping maintain the fusion reactor temperature, the liquid metal also ...
- Controlled nuclear fusion emerges as new frontier for China's venture capitalistson July 23, 2024 at 12:32 am
In the eastern Chinese city of Hefei, a fusion reactor, its design evoking the graceful form of a phoenix from an aerial perspective, has begun to hum with partial operational capabilities. Nearby, a ...
- In gold rush for nuclear fusion, it’s Chinese authoritarians vs US billionaire oligarchson July 22, 2024 at 2:00 pm
The hot tech field may have become a genuine contest between Chinese state capitalism and American ‘free market’ capitalism.
- 3 Nuclear Fusion Stocks Energizing the Futureon July 21, 2024 at 3:00 am
InvestorPlace - Stock Market News, Stock Advice & Trading Tips At the moment, the concept of nuclear fusion stocks – or at least the ...
- Breaking Barriers in Nuclear Fusion: How Neutron Migration Could Change Everythingon July 20, 2024 at 4:37 pm
Researchers expand the quantum mechanical descriptions of nuclear fusion reactions. Low-energy nuclear fusion reactions are influenced by the migration of neutrons and protons between fusing nuclei ...
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