The search for cleaner and more powerful energy sources is pushing science to its limits.
One of the most ambitious projects is nuclear fusion. Scientists believe this technology could provide nearly unlimited energy without the harmful emissions of fossil fuels.
The UK is now testing a breakthrough superconducting material that could bring us closer to making fusion power a reality.
Researchers at Tokamak Energy in the UK are working on a new superconducting technology that could transform fusion reactors, writes WP.
They are using a material called REBCO, which is capable of generating the strong magnetic field needed to control plasma.
This field keeps the plasma stable and maintains the extreme temperatures required for fusion.
Plasma is often called the fourth state of matter. It consists of a mix of free electrons and positively charged ions. It is the same substance that powers the Sun.
If we can control plasma, we could recreate the power of the stars here on Earth. The challenge is keeping it stable at temperatures of 100 million degrees Celsius.
That is the temperature required for atomic nuclei to collide and fuse, releasing an enormous amount of energy.
The International Atomic Energy Agency reports that just a few grams of deuterium and tritium, two forms of hydrogen, could provide enough energy to power a person’s lifetime energy needs.
The potential is staggering. However, keeping fusion reactions stable remains one of the biggest hurdles.
Scientists in China recently made a breakthrough. At the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak in Hefei, they managed to sustain stable plasma for 17 minutes.
This record-breaking achievement suggests that fusion energy may not be as far away as once thought. It fuels optimism that humanity can one day harness this powerful energy source.
The REBCO superconductor being tested in the UK could help solve some of the challenges of fusion.
It allows for stronger and more efficient magnetic fields than previous technologies. This means smaller, more effective tokamak reactors.
Researchers believe this innovation could speed up the development of practical fusion power.
Even with these advances, fusion is not yet a reality. Scientists must still find ways to sustain the reaction and manage excess heat.
Despite these challenges, experts predict that the first working fusion reactors could be ready by 2040.
If successful, this technology could change the future of energy forever.
