South Korea has taken a big leap forward in the search for unlimited and clean energy as it reached a breakthrough in the aspect of nuclear fusion research. Scientists from the Korea Institute of Fusion Energy (KFE) had an achievement which was maintaining plasma temperatures over 100 million degrees Celsius for as many as 48 seconds.
This fiery assortment of elements, with a temperature of about 7 times the Sun’s core temperature, is not only a key moment in mimicking star formation but can also pave the way for a breakthrough in clean energy production. Then there was the KSTAR device, also called the “artificial sun” due to the high temperature, which was a major contributing factor.
Nuclear fusion is a process in which atomic nuclei combine together to form heavier nucleus and with this an immense amount of energy is released. This is how stars and the Sun are also energized. Researchers have been working hard to create this power technology for commercial applications, as generating electricity from this source would theoretically be limitless and produce almost no pollution.
The challenge is to create a suitable environment that allows the necessary fusion conditions to manifest. KSTAR, which has a torus-shaped (doughnut-like) shape, confines plasma (a gas consisting of charged particles) that is superheated by strong magnetic fields. Inside the plasma, hydrogen isotopes are fused, which results in the release of an impressive amount of energy.
The highest record for a long plasma temperature in a fusion reactor is held by KSTAR as well too, thanks to its achievement of 30 seconds in 2021. An international mission of 48 seconds is a tremendous improvement compared to this. Such a tiny additional time may seem unimportant, but it plays an essential role in the fueling for commercial purposes of fusion power. The more fusion reaction can last, the more energy can be produced and the closer scientists become to a perennial source.
“Fusion reactor performance efficiency significantly increases when the temperature and density level are maintained steadily high,” said Si-Woo Yoon, director of the KSTAR Research Center at KFE.
One of the causes of this result is the tungsten usage in KSTAR divertors. A diverter, an important apparatus, is a tool that removes heat and impurities from plasma, thus protecting the target walls from damage. Tungsten, the one material that has the highest melting point (nearly 3400C), can survive the plasma temperatures in the reactor, offering longer and more stable operation inside the premises of the reactor.
However, this is by all means a significant milestone but the road to commercially applicable fusion reactor is still long. Difficulties are associated with extending the duration of the fusion reaction, attaining energy net gain (producing more energy than consumed), and conceiving the way of efficient energy harvesting.
Furthermore, the accomplishment of KSTAR sends a great message about the future. This first milestone of the record-breaking achievement shows the practicality of keeping the fusion reaction ongoing and opens the way for more progress in fusion technology. South Korea’s cutting-edge technology in this area can definitely pave the road to the planetary sustainable energy framework where the stars are the limitless green sources of energy.
