Controlling the sun's energy in the TCV Tokamak Fusion reactor

https://images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/16111051/PRI_223707137.jpg?width=837
Souce

Trying to bottle the sun, holding a ball of plasma over 100 million degrees Celsius, that's the challenge of nuclear fusion reactors and we had a brilliant foundation straight from Switzerland where scientists discovered a new way to control the searing heat that is a constant threat to destroy these machines.

If it works we are talking about clean, low-waste, almost infinite energy with no carbon - a promise that could power the world for centuries to come, however, controlling the extreme heat of the plasma in Tokamak reactors has always been a major challenge, now scientists at EPFL have found an innovative solution that can revolutionize the safety and efficiency of these reactors.

The experiment was conducted at the TCV variable configuration Tokamak, a state-of-the-art facility located in Switzerland, scientists developed a technique called X-point target radiator under the acronym XPR that consists in creating a second X-point in the magnetic field of the Tokamak, this additional point allows a more efficient dissipation of the heat generated by the fusion reactions.

The technique explores the concept of the “divertor” a magnetic funnel that drains excess heat and by-products from the fusion reactions by adding a second X-point the scientists were able to significantly increase the useful radiation, removing heat in a more efficient and controllable way, the implementation of the XP PTR in the TCV proved relatively easy and highly controllable.

https://youtu.be/SS120DIHRsc

Tests proved that the concept works well in practice, facilitating thermal management of the superheated plasma, this advance not only protects the internal walls of the Tokamak from damage, but also improves the overall stability of the reactors, making them safer for continuous operation.

Compared to traditional methods, the XPTR represents a significant evolution. Previous solutions presented difficulties in precisely controlling the position of the heat radiation, whereas the new Swiss concept offers greater stability and less sensitivity to positional variations, thanks to its optimized magnetic geometry.

This innovation will be directly aligned with the goals of large nuclear fusion projects such as Spark being developed by Commonwealth Fusion Systems in collaboration with MIT in the United States, indicating that the Swiss method has global potential.

The success of this EPFL technique paves the way for its application in other Tokamak around the world, as the concept uses universal magnetic principles can be implemented in various international facilities, facilitating the global transition to clean energy based on nuclear fusion, the breakthrough made by the Swiss team not only solves a long-standing technical problem, but also advances the development of a practically inexhaustible and environmentally sustainable energy.

Controlled nuclear fusion is getting closer and closer, offering real hope for the planet's energy future.

Official website

The images without reference were created with AI

Thank you for visiting my blog. If you like posts about #science, #planet, #politics, #rights #crypto, #traveling and discovering secrets and beauties of the #universe, feel free to Follow me as these are the topics I write about the most. Have a wonderful day and stay on this great platform :) :)

! The truth will set us free and science is the one that is closest to the truth!