Bloomberg News reports that the US government lab in the past year attained a milestone in nuclear fusion, which was long sought after. This has achieved a controlled reaction yielding more energy than it had to produce. The same phenomenon repeated the pattern after months of almost close misses.
What happens if the December 5th breakthrough is reproduced?
If the December 5th breakthrough is reproduced, this may bring the world a step closer to the use of fusion. It powers the stars and is an abundance of clean energy sources. However, achieving the same is a distant truth, even if it takes place at all.
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
The Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, situated near San Francisco, has conducted a series of such tests during the summer and spring. However, this series of tests yielded only a few ignitions. Ignition is the point at which the experiment’s energy output surpasses the amount pouring in.
More about tests
Each of these tests includes firing the laser, which is the most powerful in the world. The laser is aimed at a tiny diamond capsule composed of hydrogen, thereby compressing the fuel and triggering the reaction.
In June, one such experiment achieved a breakeven when there was an influx of the same amount of energy as there was an outflow.
Ignition was finally reached in the past week as per a statement on Sunday obtained from a laboratory.
As per the statement, an experiment was carried out on July 30th, in which ignition was repeated. The results of the analysis are underway. The statement also said that the results of the upcoming scientific conference would be furnished in peer-reviewed publications.
Fission or Fusion?
Bloomberg News reports that, unlike fission which is a process that nuclear power plants use, the process of fusion encompasses smashing together the atoms instead of splitting apart.
What does it mean theoretically?
Theoretically, it can supply carbon-free energy. However, there was no long-lasting waste of radioactive material. But several scientists for generations have battled to master the process in a controlled reaction. But it has served as a power source for decades of nuclear weapons.
Aside from the process used by the Livermore lab, which is referred to as inertial confinement, the researchers are trying to achieve ignition by using high-powered magnets to contain a fusion reaction. This takes place within a ring of plasma, which is doughnut-shaped.
