fbpx ...

Scientists getting closer to leveraging nuclear fusion as a way to slow down climate change

A group of scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a spinoff company, Commonwealth Fusion Systems, have published a series of research papers indicating that their SPARC compact fusion reactor is likely to work and is about 5 years away.

The seven peer-reviewed articles appeared in the Journal of Plasma Physics.

“These studies put SPARC on a firm scientific basis. When we build and operate the machine as described in these papers, we fully expect to meet our target for fusion gain and produce a wealth of new and important information on burning plasmas,” wrote guest editorial author, Martin Greenwald.

The scientists expect to begin construction of the reactor, called SPARC, as early as next spring and for the construction to take only three or four years, the New York Times reports.

Scientists have long theorized that fusion is a technology that could help to address climate change. Nuclear fusion creates enormous amounts of energy when two lighter nuclei are brought together to form a single nucleus. SPARC will fuse hydrogen isotopes to form helium.

Traditional nuclear power plants deploy the process of nuclear fission. In nuclear fission, energy is released when heavy radioactive elements like uranium decay into other elements.

There would be many benefits to using nuclear fusion for energy. A fusion reactor won’t use fossil fuels and it will be carbon-free. It would also be less radioactive and create less radioactive waste.

However, building a fusion plasma plant is extremely complicated because it must be able to withstand temperatures higher than that of the sun. For this purpose, the scientists have developed a device called a tokamak, which is a doughnut-shaped chamber where the fusion reaction takes place. The ultra-hot plasma cloud is contained using magnetic forces.

Some nuclear physicists who specialize in fusion energy are positive about the possibility that SPARC will work but doubtful about the timeframe for its execution.

Bob Mumgaard, CEO and co-founder of Commonwealth Fusion told the Times that the team wants their fusion reactor to be operational as soon as possible so it can help curb the effects of climate change.

Fusion technology has been studied for close to a century and SPARC is not the world’s only fusion-power project.

The largest one is ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor) located in southern France, where representatives of 35 nations are working together to build the world’s largest tokamak. The scientist have been working on the project for 35 years and construction of the experiential reactor started in 2013 and is due to be finished in 2025.

TAE Fusion Power is working to create the same process that the sun uses to create light. Where the sun fuses predominately hydrogen atoms to give off energetic light, TAE is working on a solution that fuse hydrogen and boron to produce energy.

First Light Fusion works with advanced implosion processes that reach high temperatures and compressions to achieve fusion, amongst other experimental approaches. First Light Fusion Ltd was spun out from the University of Oxford in July 2011. Scientists at various academic institutions and startups are working to replicate nuclear fusion – the process that powers the sun, but it’s a complicated process that many think is still a few decades off

Share this article on your social networks

Related Posts

Greenhouse Gas Emissions by Country: Understanding the Global Impact

Greenhouse gas emissions by country: Understanding the global impact. In this article, we will take a closer look at the top greenhouse gas emitting countries, sources of emissions, and efforts being made by countries to reduce emissions through increasing the use of renewable energy and improving energy efficiency.

Read More
GHG Reporting: Understanding and Mitigating Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Greenhouse gas (GHG) reporting is the process of measuring, reporting, and ultimately reducing an organization’s emissions. In this article, we will explore the basics of GHG reporting including its importance in understanding and reducing emissions, the process of GHG reporting, the standards and protocols available, and the challenges that organisations may face

Read More
5 key takeouts from the new IPCC Climate Report

The most recent 3.675 pages IPCC report has been hailed as the most searing indictment of the planet’s climate predicament. Here are 5 key takeouts.

Read More
Overwhelming majority of Australians look to Brands to make a climate difference

The research, released today at Nine’s State of the Nation Sustainability virtual event, showed that despite everyday Australians making changes to live more sustainably, the majority feel that as a country, we are not doing enough, and brands need to lead the way.

Read More
67% of retail investors now prefer ESG investments

According to new research from behavioural finance experts, Oxford Risk, two out of three retail investors are considering transferring their investments into ESG propositions.

Read More
Massive and rapid swing. 75% of Australian businesses leaders believe world is at climate change tipping point: Deloitte Report

Australian business leaders are becoming a lot more concerned about climate change. This shift is according to a new report and it shows a significant shift in opinion in just 8 months.

Read More
Climate Impact Measurement and Disclosure Growing Quickly Among Businesses

Many of the world’s biggest organisations have begun to share information concerning their carbon footprint in a new move that embraces transparency as organisations are increasingly seeing value in measuring their impact.

Read More
Explosive research for Australian businesses: people are turning down high paying jobs for 1 surprising reason

employed by a company that did not do its part to address climate change.

Read More
Australia Ranks Last Out Of 60 Nations For Climate Crisis Response Policy

Australia’s government policy response to the climate crisis was ranked last in an assessment of 60 nations released at the current global climate summit in Glasgow

Read More