Just last month, a major breakthrough occurred in science: a nuclear fusion experiment released more energy than was consumed.

Advances in nuclear fusion are so highly anticipated because fusion has the capability to provide clean energy on a large scale with no waste. Fission, the process of splitting a larger nucleus into two smaller particles, produces radioactive waste that is difficult to store, as discussed in previous synopses. Fusion, however, the act of combining two nuclei, produces no waste. Additionally, unlike uranium, the fuel required for nuclear fission, fusion’s fuel, hydrogen, is plentiful and extractable from seawater. The only byproduct of a fusion reaction is helium, the result of combining two hydrogen atoms.

Finally, fusion is a great choice because it’s safe; since fusion is not a chain reaction like fission is, there is no risk of a deadly meltdown. If a fusion reaction is interrupted, it will cool and stop. It has also been reported that fusion produces four times the energy in comparison to fission.

Fusion is the same reaction that occurs in the sun. However, since the sun is so densely packed, less heat is required for fusion to occur. This means that scientists must use lasers to heat pellets with hydrogen atoms to a degree significantly higher than the center of the sun.

On December 5, at the Lawrence Livermore lab’s National Ignition Facility, scientists successfully achieved ignition, which is producing more energy than is required to trigger the nuclear reaction. The experiment released 3.15 megajoules of energy, while only 2.05 megajoules of energy were consumed.

While this is great news, the lasers used in this experiment are reported to be less than one percent efficient. Hundreds of megajoules were required for the reaction, which means that there was a net loss in terms of the whole system. That being said, as laser technology advances, we will be closer to achieving our goal. Not to mention that this was the first time fusion was ever done in a laboratory setting and consumed less energy than it produced.

While the commercialization of fusion is likely decades away, it promises a brilliant energy source, and has huge implications for future civilization.

Don’t have much time or much to say today, but I’m definitely excited for this news. I first heard about it from Hank Green, and although I believe the news should have been more widespread, I was happy to hear multiple sources discussing the breakthrough.

I’m glad to get more material for my Nuclear Physics Club, especially as we return to school in just a few days. I may continue on this trend for the next synopsis, but I also might focus on epidemiology, as it’s been a while since my last episode. Well, whatever I choose, stay tuned to learn with me!

Woodward, Aylin. “Nuclear Fusion Energy: What to Know About the Latest Scientific..”Wall Street Journal Online, 12/15 2022. ProQuest; SIRS Issues Researcher, https://explore.proquest.com/sirsissuesresearcher/document/2757183707?accountid=163174.

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