The heavier isotopes of hydrogen are used due to their higher yield of energy per reaction than simply two hydrogen nuclei.
Einstein’s famous equation: E=mc 2 shows that the mass isn’t lost but turned into energy in the form of heat as the resultant helium nucleus and extra neutrons interact with the surroundings. The reaction releases energy because the newly formed single nucleus is lighter than the two original nuclei. Scientists worldwide are trying to replicate the process in fusion in fusion reactors uses deuterium and tritium (a hydrogen atom with one neutron or two, respectively). The explosive power of fusion is offset by the immense gravity of the sun’s mass. The intense heat and pressure at the core of the sun causes atoms of hydrogen and helium to fuse together, which releases an incredible amount of energy. What is Fusion?įusion is the process that powers our sun, which gives life to living things on Earth.
Fusion is still decades away from viable commercial production, but recent advances in the technology and supporting infrastructure are chipping away at that timetable. Fusion is potentially a carbon-free bridge to that goal. This is a significant advancement toward China’s goals of commercial production of fusion energy by 2050 and achieving their carbon neutral pledge by 2060.Īt least 110 countries have pledged to be carbon neutral by 2050. While the reactor was only online for a few seconds (how long, we don’t know), it did achieve a temperature of 150 million degrees Celsius by utilizing powerful magnets to contain the plasma. News broke via state media earlier this month (12/4/20) that the Chinese had started its HL-2M East tokamak fusion reactor. China made headlines earlier this month stating it had started its “ artificial sun”.
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