The Fusion League can be broken down into divisions based on experimental approach (Magnetic, Inertial, Alternatives) and on fuel (conventional and aneutronic/advanced). These divisions can be grounded in, and mapped along the fundamental parameter space of fusion.
Note: This section under development. Donate to speed things up. Also Contribute as an author, especially if you would like your experimental approach reflected here.
Magnetic fusion involves confining plasma in a magnetic field cage. The dilute plasmas (less dense than Inertial Fusion) are heated by various means such as radio waves, energetic particle beams or fusion self/heating. Different MFE approaches involve different ways of producing the magnetic field cage (e.g., compare stellarators with tokamaks.) ITER is a MFE project.
Inertial fusion approaches seek to quickly implode a tiny target of plasma so that the inertia of the converging particles causes many of them to fuse before they can get away. Density requirements are much higher than for Magnetic Fusion, but confinement time is lower. Pictured at right is the “hohlram” target area with incoming lasers about to fry the plasma into fusion.
The term “Alternatives” is a catch all for a wide variety of lesser known fusion approaches. Some alternatives can be classified as “Magnetic Fusion” and others as “Inertial Fusion.” Still others are hybrids and fall somewhere else along the parameter space of fusion.
Aneutronic fusion is fusion that does not produce neutrons as a product of the reaction. It is also called “advanced fuel fusion.”
Students from the Albert Einstein Institute created Game of Thrones-style sigils to pay tribute to some of the most exciting projects in physics and space exploration. We are inspired to do likewise for fusion ventures.
Three articles, one on ITER milestones, one in praise of “Big Science” and one about Government audits illustrate the challenges of a mega fusion project.
Thanks to Michael Kanellos for a great overview of the Tri Alpha fusion project in Forbes. Thanks to Mark Halper for further elaboration and broader context in Smart Planet.
Excellent fusion article by John Lippert in Bloomberg Markets Magazine today.
Fusion experiments leading to fusion ignition tend to be large and expensive. A new effort called Nu-fuse attempts to refine fusion modeling to reduce technical risk and ensure precious fusion R&D funds are not wasted on small errors while giving fusion experiments a better chance at achieving fusion ignition and breakeven energy.
Charles Chase of Lockheed Martin presents an idea for a Compact 100 MW Nuclear Fusion at Google Solve for X. The goal is 2018 for a full scale prototype and 2023 for Commercial system.
The Fusion Academy offers a three-day crash course in the science and technology of nuclear fusion. In collaboration with Eindhoven University of Technology, the Fusion Academy has developed a unique program adopted to professionals in the fusion research and development field.
Dennis Whyte of MIT gave a TED Talk entitled: “Bringing a Star to Earth For Energy”
This press release just in!
For those of you who missed Fusion Day, in the sidebar you will find the four handouts distributed on inertial fusion, the magnetic fusion program, and ITER.
ITER reports Corrective actions in place to accelerate construction.
The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) has published its Program on Technology Innovation: Assessment of Fusion Energy Options for Commercial Electricity Production.
Thank you to environmental writer Andrew Revkin of DotEarth who posted a well rounded article on fusion on the October 18 New York Times online Opinion Page.
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