All posts tagged: fusion

Fusion reactors could create ingredients for a nuclear weapon in weeks

Fusion reactors could create ingredients for a nuclear weapon in weeks

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A nuclear test on 3 July 1970 at Fangataufa atoll, French Polynesia Science History Images / Alamy A nuclear test on 3 July 1970 at Fangataufa atoll, French PolynesiaFusion reactors could allow a country to accelerate its development of nuclear weapons, producing the necessary radioactive ingredients in as little as a few weeks. Nuclear weapons need specific radioactive isotopes, normally uranium-235 or plutonium-239, that can be easily split and start a chain reaction. This so-called fissile material is rare in nature, but can be produced artificially by a source that produces a lot of neutrons, such… Source link

Space Exploration : Fusion Drive propulsion system successful

Space Exploration : Fusion Drive propulsion system successful

Published by skeptic

Rocket Star Inc. has made a significant leap in space propulsion technology with the introduction of the Firear Fusion Drive. This innovative system, which combines plasma thruster technology with nuclear fusion, is set to undergo its first real-world test aboard a SpaceX rocket this July. Promising to enhance thrust efficiency by an impressive 50%, this development could dramatically change the future of space exploration. Space Exploration The Firear Fusion Drive represents a major milestone in the ongoing quest to develop more efficient and powerful propulsion systems for spacecraft. By harnessing the power of nuclear fusion and integrating it with advanced plasma thruster technology, Rocket Star Inc. aims to overcome the limitations of traditional chemical rockets and open up new possibilities for deep space missions. At the core of the Firear Fusion Drive is a sophisticated integration of a plasma thruster and nuclear fusion. Unlike traditional plasma thrusters that rely solely on ionized gas for propulsion, this new system introduces a fusion reaction between boron and protons derived from ionized water. This reaction produces an unstable …

UKAEA and CVŘ collaborate to develop UK fusion energy plant

UKAEA and CVŘ collaborate to develop UK fusion energy plant

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The UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) has signed a multi-year deal with Centrum výzkumu Řež (CVŘ) to further the development of the UK fusion energy plant called STEP. STEP – otherwise known as the Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production – aims to deliver a prototype fusion energy plant in the UK, targeting operations in 2040. The fusion energy plant will be built at West Burton in Nottinghamshire and will prove the viability of fusion for transforming the UK’s energy supply, providing low-carbon, safe, and near-limitless power. The UKAEA’s deal with CVŘ, the Czech Republic’s research organisation, marks a pivotal milestone in the plant’s development. The use-of-facility agreement will allow the testing of High Temperature Superconducting (HTS) tapes, which are essential for developing the prototype fusion energy plant. Marek Miklos, Business Development Manager from CVŘ, commented: “Working in partnership with the STEP team is a fantastic opportunity to support the UK’s world-leading programme to develop a prototype fusion energy plant. “The Hi-CrIS testing rig will open lots of opportunities for further material studies for fusion applications.” …

Scientists revolutionize nuclear fusion reactors using ordinary magnets

Scientists revolutionize nuclear fusion reactors using ordinary magnets

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MUSE, the first stellarator built at PPPL in 50 years and the first ever to use permanent magnets. (CREDIT: Michael Livingston / PPPL Communications Department) Their innovative design, the “MUSE” device, utilizes permanent magnets – the kind found on refrigerators – to confine plasma for potential fusion reactions. This surprisingly simple approach could dramatically reduce the cost of future fusion power plants. Stellarators: Confining the Sun on Earth Fusion – the process that powers stars like our Sun – offers a near-limitless source of clean energy. To achieve this on Earth, scientists rely on devices called stellarators and tokamaks to confine superheated plasma, the fuel for fusion reactions. PPPL senior research physicist Michael Zarnstorff, left, stands next to plasma physics graduate student Tony Qian, right, with MUSE. (CREDIT: Tony Qian / PPPL) Both machines utilize magnetic fields to contain the incredibly hot plasma. However, their methods differ. Tokamaks employ a strong electrical current flowing through the plasma itself, along with external coils, to generate the magnetic field. Stellarators, on the other hand, rely solely on …

The Exciting Fusion of 3D Printing and Woodworking Joints

The Exciting Fusion of 3D Printing and Woodworking Joints

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If you enjoy 3D printing new designs and manufacturing furniture or projects using 3D printing techniques. You might be interested in a new blend which is taking traditional woodworking joints into 3D printing. Dovetail joints, known for their durability and interlocking capabilities in woodworking, are at the forefront of this transformation into 3D printing concepts. These joints are being re-engineered to leverage the benefits of 3D printing, enhancing both their aesthetic appeal and functional utility in contemporary design and production. By combining the strength and precision of classic woodworking techniques with the flexibility and innovation of 3D printing, designers and manufacturers can create products that are not only visually striking but also structurally sound and efficient to produce. Dovetail Joints In 3D Printing Traditionally, dovetail joints are prized in woodworking for their strong, adhesive-free connections. Adapting these joints for 3D printing requires several modifications to address the unique properties of printing materials. For example, the angles and clearances of the classic dovetail joint are adjusted to accommodate the mechanical behaviors of 3D printing materials, which …

From Fusion to Freedom | Psychology Today

From Fusion to Freedom | Psychology Today

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Source: OgnjenO / istock When it comes to family, the line between close-knit relationships and overly intertwined emotional states can sometimes blur, creating a phenomenon known as emotional fusion. This concept, while less talked about, plays a crucial role in the functioning of family units and the individuality of its members. Like many, Alex grew up in a family where harmony was paramount. To keep the peace, Alex learned early on to prioritize the family’s needs and desires above his own. This meant always saying “yes,” avoiding conflict at all costs, and often sidelining personal ambitions or feelings. While this approach did ensure a semblance of familial bliss, it came at the cost of Alex’s emotional independence. At its core, emotional fusion refers to a situation where family members are so closely linked emotionally that they struggle to distinguish where one person’s feelings end and another’s begin. This phenomenon can lead to a lack of individuality, with decisions, emotions, and even personal beliefs becoming a collective rather than an individual affair. While some connections are …

Nuclear fusion experiment overcomes two key operating hurdles

Nuclear fusion experiment overcomes two key operating hurdles

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Inside the DIII-D tokamak fusion reactor Rswilcox (CC BY-SA 4.0) A nuclear fusion reaction has overcome two key barriers to operating in a “sweet spot” needed for optimal power production: boosting the plasma density and keeping that denser plasma contained. The milestone is yet another stepping stone towards fusion power, although a commercial reactor is still probably years away. One of the main avenues being explored in efforts to achieve fusion power is using tokamak reactors. These have a doughnut-shaped chamber where plasma hotter than the surface of our sun is contained by vast magnets. It had been thought that there was a point – known as the Greenwald limit – above which you couldn’t raise the density of the plasma without it escaping the clutches of the magnets, potentially damaging your reactor. But raising density is crucial to increasing output, as experiments have shown that the output of tokamak reactors rises proportionally with the square of the fuel density. Now, Siye Ding at General Atomics in San Diego, California, and his colleagues have shown …

Exec shakeup at First Light Fusion as founder moves to science-focused role

Exec shakeup at First Light Fusion as founder moves to science-focused role

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First Light Fusion has announced that its co-founder, Dr Nick Hawker, will step into a new role as chief scientific officer (CSO). In his place, Graham O’Keeffe, an experienced technology business leader, has joined the business as acting CEO. Nick will now be responsible for the firm’s scientific mission and technology strategy, while continuing as a board member. Working with its 56 science and engineering teams, he plans to focus on how First Light transforms its proven technology into a commercially viable, scalable proposition for fusion energy production. Nick co-founded First Light Fusion in 2011 alongside Professor Yiannis Ventikos, leading the company from a small spinout from the University of Oxford into a world leader in inertial fusion technology. “I’m excited to be taking up this new position”, he said. “With recent advancements in inertial fusion, our unique technology remains as important as ever to solving fusion power. “By expanding our leadership team, I can now focus my time on what I started doing back in 2011, leading and overseeing the technical and scientific strategy …

Combining methods to successfully manage fusion plasma

Combining methods to successfully manage fusion plasma

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Researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) have shown how two old methods can be combined to provide greater flexibility for managing fusion plasma. The research is part of an ongoing quest to develop a range of methods for managing fusion plasma so it can be used to generate electricity. While the two methods – electron cyclotron current drive (ECCD) and applying resonant magnetic perturbations (RMP) – have long been studied, this is the first time researchers have simulated how they can be used together to enhance plasma control. “This is kind of a new idea,” said Qiming Hu, a staff research physicist at PPPL and the study’s lead author. “The full capabilities are still being figured out, but our paper does a great job of advancing our understanding of the potential benefits.” The research is published in Nuclear Fusion. Using fusion plasma to generate electricity Ultimately, scientists hope to use fusion plasma to generate electricity. First, they will need to overcome several hurdles, including perfecting methods for minimising …