Nuclear fusion, the reaction which combines two smaller atoms to produce a bigger atom. In the process of combining, it releases a tremendous amount of energy. It is this same reaction that power our Sun and all other stars in the universe. So, technically nuclear fusion is the ultimate source of energy that powers everything in the universe including us.
How does Nuclear fusion create energy?
These reactions follow Einstein's famous equation, E=MC², where m is the change in mass and c is the speed of light. Here, the mass is converted into energy. In the stars, two hydrogen atoms combine to form a Helium atom. The more a star uses up the fraction of its hydrogen, the heavier are the elements it synthesises.
Nuclear Fusion as the future source of energy
The first generation of nuclear fusion reactors is still in development. The fuel for these reactors is a mixture of heavier isotopes of hydrogen i.e. deuterium and tritium. According to some estimates, just a few grams of the reactant can produce one terajoule of energy. This is the amount of energy that can satisfy the needs of one person for sixty years in a developed country.
Roadblocks in the way
The biggest hurdle in using nuclear fusion reactions to harness energy is its confinement. It also needs very high temperature and pressure to fuse its nuclei together and form the heavier nucleus along with lots of energy. The amount of energy produced is almost four times that produced in a fission reaction. The temperature required exceeds 100 million degrees Celsius and enough pressure to fuse the nuclei. And, to get a net power gain from the reaction, we need sufficient confinement to maintain the reaction for enough time.
With experiments being carried on for several decades, scientists have started achieving the required conditions for a nuclear fusion reaction in experiments. Some have even achieved fusion reactions but without a net power gain.
How is it for the climate?
If we are successful in creating a nuclear fusion reactor that can work in a controlled manner, we could power all our needs for millions of years! The fuel for these reactions, Deuterium can be harnessed from seawater. While, tritium, we can produce from lithium.
The biggest advantage of nuclear fusion reactions is that they will not produce any radioactive waste like fission reactions, or carbon dioxides like fossil fuel or any other greenhouse gases. So, along with giving us unlimited energy, it is in compliance with our climate change goals.
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