KSTAR’s Latest Upgrade: Potential Breakthrough in Nuclear Fusion
The Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research (KSTAR), situated in Daejeon, South Korea, continues to push the boundaries of nuclear fusion research. Recently, significant upgrades have been introduced to enhance its capabilities, enabling the generation of high-temperature plasma exceeding 100 million degrees Celsius for extended durations.
The KSTAR Tokamak: Harnessing the Power of Nuclear Fusion
KSTAR utilizes a tokamak, a specialized doughnut-shaped reactor, to create and control plasma—a hot, charged gas composed of positive ions and free-moving electrons. Its primary objective is to replicate the extreme conditions necessary for sustained nuclear fusion, which fuels the Sun and other celestial bodies.
Since achieving 100 million degrees Celsius in 2018 for 1.5 seconds, KSTAR has consistently pushed the limits. The duration increased to 8 seconds in 2019, 20 seconds in 2020, and a remarkable 30 seconds in 2022. Recent upgrades involve:
- Replacing the carbon diverter with tungsten.
- A high-melting-point material.
- Aiming to sustain the mind-boggling temperature for even more extended periods.
Future Goals: Towards Extended Plasma Sustainability
Experiments with the new tungsten diverter are scheduled until February 2024. The research team aims to achieve a groundbreaking 300-second duration by the end of 2026, showcasing the continuous pursuit of mastering nuclear fusion technology.
Nuclear fusion, combining two light atomic nuclei to form a heavier nucleus, releases immense energy. This process, occurring at the heart of the Sun, could offer a nearly unlimited source of electricity if harnessed successfully on Earth.
Challenges and Global Efforts
Creating the conditions for sustained nuclear fusion involves overcoming significant challenges. The plasma on Earth requires extremely high temperatures and strong magnetic fields to achieve fusion, a feat currently pursued by scientists worldwide.
The International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) in France, the world’s largest fusion experiment, is another crucial initiative to advance our understanding of nuclear fusion.
Collaborative Endeavors: KSTAR and ITER
The recent upgrades at KSTAR, particularly implementing a tungsten divertor, align with ITER’s choices and objectives. Dr. Suk Jae Yoo, President of the Korea Institute of Fusion Energy, emphasizes KSTAR’s commitment to contributing valuable data for ITER through ongoing experiments.
In conclusion, South Korea’s KSTAR continues to play a pivotal role in advancing nuclear fusion research, bringing us closer to harnessing the extraordinary potential of this clean and virtually limitless energy source.
Read the original article on IFL Science.
Read more: Japan Unveils the World’s Largest Operational Nuclear Fusion Reactor.
