Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Fusion?

Could nuclear fusion be the answer to our energy needs? The ideea of a fusion power plant providing energy for an entire city is still the area of science fiction. However, this whole thing might be moving more towards science fact as top researchers are going about building the first working fusion reactor.
The start of any fusion reaction requires great heat, and pressure so that hydrogen atoms are squeezed together so that they form helium atoms. This process releases a great amount of energy.
The first steps taken are at the National Ignition Facility in California where the scientists are making use of a giant laser whose power is amplifyed and focused unto a small target where the fusion reaction is supposed to take place.
The hope is that by the end of the year, a selfsustaining fusion reaction will be possible.

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