The Korean “Artificial Sun” reactor, also known as the Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research (KSTAR), is a nuclear fusion reactor designed to replicate the fusion process that powers stars, including our Sun.
What record did the KSTAR reactor set?
The KSTAR reactor set a new world record by generating plasma temperatures of 100 million degrees Celsius for 48 seconds. This is a significant improvement over the previous record of 30 seconds and is seven times as hot as the Sun’s core.
Why is the KSTAR reactor’s achievement important?
This achievement is important because it demonstrates progress in confining plasma, which is one of the biggest challenges in harnessing fusion energy for long-term power generation.
What is the goal of fusion energy research?
The goal of fusion energy research is to produce a net positive amount of safe and pollution-free energy by fusing atoms together in a controlled environment, potentially providing a nearly unlimited source of energy.
How does the KSTAR reactor work?
The KSTAR reactor uses powerful magnetic fields to confine extremely hot plasma in a torus shape, with the aim of extracting a net positive amount of energy from the fusion reactions.
What are the future goals for the KSTAR reactor?
The future goals for the KSTAR reactor include sustaining temperatures of over 100 million degrees Celsius for 300 seconds by 2026, which would mark a significant step towards scaling up fusion operations.
What is the difference between fusion and fission reactors?
Fusion reactors aim to combine light atomic nuclei to form a heavier nucleus, releasing energy, while fission reactors work by splitting heavy atomic nuclei into lighter nuclei, also releasing energy. Fusion produces less radioactive waste and has the potential for a nearly unlimited fuel supply.
Can fusion reactors replace nuclear fission reactors?
While fusion reactors have the potential to replace nuclear fission reactors due to their safety and sustainability advantages, significant technical challenges remain before fusion can become a practical and widespread source of power.
What is the ITER facility?
The ITER facility, currently under construction in France, is set to be the world’s largest nuclear reactor and is expected to play a pivotal role in advancing the commercialization of fusion energy.
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