Nuclear fusion is a process in which two light atoms join together to form a heavier atom, releasing a large amount of energy in the process. In fusion, atomic nuclei fuse instead of splitting as in nuclear fission.

To achieve nuclear fusion it is necessary to overcome the electrostatic forces of repulsion of the nuclei, a concept based on Coulomb’s Law, which establishes that the force between two electric charges is directly proportional to the product of their charges and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them. To do this, it is necessary to supply the nuclei with the necessary kinetic energy and maintain the fusion reactions in a controlled manner, making it necessary to use large amounts of energy generated by microwaves, particle accelerators or laser rays.

When a gas is subjected to very high temperatures, it becomes what is called plasma, a state in which electrons are separated from atoms, a state in which collision between atoms is attempted. electrons and free ions in a way that causes their fusion and releases energy.

Currently, research is carried out using hydrogen isotopes such as deuterium and tritium which must be heated to high temperatures and high pressures.

Nuclear fusion is the process that powers the sun and other stars. On Earth, scientists have managed to recreate and control nuclear fusion in experimental devices such as the tokamak. The goal of fusion research is to develop viable fusion reactors to generate electricity without the disadvantages of nuclear fission, such as the production of long-lived radioactive waste.

The fusion of light nuclei such as deuterium and tritium (isotopes of hydrogen) into helium releases large amounts of energy in the form of heat. This thermal energy can then be used to generate electricity without the emission of greenhouse gases. The raw material for fusion (deuterium and lithium) is abundant and non-polluting.

Scientists have been advancing the development of fusion technology for decades. Several experimental fusion projects are underway around the world with the ultimate goal of achieving a functional fusion reactor. If these efforts are successful, fusion could revolutionize power generation in the 21st century.

Advantages of Nuclear Fusion as an Energy Source

Nuclear fusion offers several advantages as an energy source. First of all, it is sustainable and environmentally friendly.

Abundant raw material; Fusion uses isotopes of hydrogen as raw material, which is the most abundant element in the universe. One kilogram of deuterium can produce the same amount of energy as 10 million kilograms of coal or oil.

Renewable and clean energy; Fusion does not emit greenhouse gases or generate long-lived radioactive waste, making it a clean and sustainable source of energy. It only produces helium, an inert gas.

Safety; The fusion process is inherently safe because the fusion chain reaction stops on its own if the temperature drops below a critical level. An uncontrolled meltdown or explosion cannot occur.

Energy independence; Fusion could reduce dependence on fossil fuels, especially in countries without their own resources. Deuterium can be extracted from seawater, a resource widely available to many countries.

Unlimited potential

Fusion has great potential to meet the world’s energy needs sustainably, almost unlimitedly. One kilogram of fusion fuel can generate the same amount of energy as 10 million kilograms of coal.

Nuclear fusion is an energy promise for the future with many advantages, although there are still technological challenges to be resolved. With continued research efforts, this promising energy source could be available in the coming decades.

Current Status of Nuclear Fusion Research

Currently, controlled nuclear fusion is still in experimental stages. Scientists and engineers around the world are working to develop fusion reactors that can produce more energy than they consume. This is known as “net energy gain” and is a crucial milestone on the path to fusion as a viable energy source.

Private companies such as Commonwealth Fusion Systems, General Fusion and Helion Energy are also developing fusion reactors. These companies are using novel approaches, such as high-temperature superconducting magnets, to accelerate progress toward a commercial reactor.

There remain important technical challenges to overcome before fusion becomes a reality, such as achieving extremely high temperatures to initiate and maintain fusion, developing materials that can withstand these conditions, and controlling the turbulent behavior of the plasma. Furthermore, fusion reactors must be able to operate continuously and produce more energy than they consume, allowing fusion to become a clean, safe and practically inexhaustible source of energy in the not too distant future.

Main Nuclear Fusion Projects and Reactors

Controlled nuclear fusion is an active area of research that has progressed in recent decades. There are currently several major fusion reactor projects in development around the world;

• ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor) is an international collaborative project to build the world’s first large-scale fusion reactor. Construction of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) began in France in 2007. ITER aims to demonstrate the scientific and technological feasibility of nuclear fusion as an energy source. It is expected that ITER will be able to generate more fusion energy than it consumes, demonstrating the viability of fusion as an energy source, which would allow it to be fully operational by 2025.
  
• The Magnetic Confined Nuclear Fusion (MCF) project uses intense magnetic fields to confine the fusion plasma in the form of a tokamak. MCF is developing a fusion reactor called SPARC that could be ready in the mid-2020s. SPARC will be the first fusion reactor to produce more energy than it consumes.
  
• Wendelstein 7-X (W7-X) is a stellarator-shaped magnetic confinement device located in Germany. W7-X began operation in 2015 and is used to investigate optimal magnetic field and plasma geometry configurations for a nuclear fusion reactor.
  
• The Chinese HL-2M experimental reactor is a tokamak used to study the behavior of fusion plasma and test new fusion materials and technologies. HL-2M achieved its first plasma discharge in December 2019.

Controlled nuclear fusion has been achieved in experimental reactors, but is not yet viable for commercial electricity production. The most advanced experimental reactors are the Joint European Torus (JET) in the United Kingdom and the Chinese Experimental Tokamak (EAST) in China.

These fusion reactor projects are making significant progress toward the ultimate goal of producing commercially viable fusion energy. With luck, fusion could become a reality in the coming decades and help meet the world’s energy needs in a clean and sustainable way.

Once the scientific and technical feasibility of controlled nuclear fusion is demonstrated, the next step will be to build an experimental fusion reactor that produces electricity for the grid. The design of this demonstration reactor is being developed in the EUROfusion project. If successful, it could lay the groundwork for commercial fusion reactors in the 2040s and 2050s.

La fusión nuclear promete ser una fuente de energía limpia virtualmente inagotable y aunque todavía quedan desafíos técnicos por superar, los avances científicos y tecnológicos están acercando cada vez más este futuro prometedor.