In southern France, scientists have achieved a significant milestone in the development of fusion energy by maintaining hot plasma at 50 million degrees Celsius for 6 minutes continuously. This breakthrough brings fusion energy closer to becoming a reality, with the ultimate goal of sustaining the plasma for many hours in the future.
Meanwhile, in New Jersey, researchers at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) announced that their device, known as WEST, was able to create super-hot plasma at a record temperature for 6 consecutive minutes. WEST is a tokamak fusion reactor that aims to replicate the energy production of the Sun and is referred to as “Artificial Suns.” Fusion reactions are different from fission reactions used in current nuclear reactors. Fusion energy has the potential to be much more powerful than existing forms of energy and has significantly higher energy production per kilogram of fuel without carbon emissions. Although WEST is not generating electricity for households, it serves as a test reactor to advance fusion technology for future commercial reactors such as ITER.
WEST’s latest achievement is crucial for establishing the foundation for commercial fusion reactors like ITER, which aims to sustain plasma combustion for extended periods when completed. Experiments conducted at facilities like WEST directly contribute to ITER’s development. Scientists are working on overcoming challenges related to high temperatures, energy requirements, and material behavior such as tungsten in fusion reactors. To optimize fusion reactor walls and plasma interactions, researchers at PPPL are testing different materials and diagnostic tools. The results of WEST’s experiments will be published in professional journals contributing to ongoing research efforts in the field of fusion energy.