Tokamak reactor

Energy

Four ways to fusion: The pros and pitfalls of our nuclear power pursuit

For nearly a century, scientists have been tantalized by the prospect of attaining an inexhaustible source of energy through nuclear fusion. Achieving this goal is not so easy, as it turns out, but that doesn't mean exciting advances aren't being made.

Inside the building that will house the world's largest tokamak reactor

Energy

Building to house world's largest tokamak fusion reactor now complete

The structure that will house one of the largest and most ambitious energy experiments in history is now complete, with engineers working on the ITER Tokamak Building swinging their last pylon into place in readiness for the reactor's assembly stage.

The researchers conducted the experiments in the DIII-D tokamak in San Diego

Energy

Nuclear fusion plasma could be stabilized against large eruptions – by causing lots of small ones

Nuclear fusion could be an essentially unlimited energy source, but large eruptions in the plasma can damage reactors. But now physicists have found a way to prevent those large eruptions, by triggering lots of small ones through the injection of tiny pellets of beryllium.

Energy

Milestone claimed as experimental nuclear reactor reaches temperature of the Sun

A relatively new player on the nuclear fusion scene, a UK company called Tokamak Energy, is claiming a new milestone in the area after heating its ST40 device to 15 million degrees Celsius, similar to temperatures found at the center of the Sun.