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About Topic In Short: |
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Who: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
(LLNL). Authors Name: U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and DOE’s National
Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) |
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What: Fusion ignition achieved at Lawrence
Livermore National Laboratory, a major scientific breakthrough in controlled
fusion energy. |
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How: The fusion ignition process involved
delivering 2.05 MJ of energy to the target using 192 laser beams at LLNL's
National Ignition Facility (NIF). The energy was converted into X-rays,
compressing a fuel capsule until implosion and releasing fusion energy. |
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The momentous
discovery titled "Fusion Ignition Milestone Achieved: Generating Clean
Energy Exceeding Input Energy" was recently made by the Lawrence Livermore
National Laboratory (LLNL) on December 5, 2022. LLNL's National Ignition
Facility (NIF) team conducted a groundbreaking fusion experiment, marking
scientific energy breakeven attainment. This achievement, realized after a
century of theoretical understanding, unveils new possibilities for sustainable
energy. The experiment showcased that more energy could be generated from
fusion than the energy used to initiate the reaction, promising significant
impacts on national defense and achieving a net-zero carbon economy.
Understanding
the Fusion Ignition Process
Fusion is a
process that combines two light nuclei to form a single heavier nucleus,
resulting in a substantial release of energy. The NIF's fusion ignition process
involves several steps to create high-temperature, high-pressure plasma:
1. The NIF's
target chamber received over 2 million joules of ultraviolet energy from 192
laser beams, focused on a tiny fuel pellet.
2. The energy
underwent conversion into X-rays within a hohlraum, housing the fuel capsule.
3. The X-rays
then compressed the fuel capsule until implosion, recreating extreme conditions
similar to those in stars, giant planets, and nuclear weapon explosions.
4. The fuel
capsule's implosion led to light nuclei fusion and the subsequent release of
fusion energy.
Key Players
and Collaborators
This
breakthrough resulted from the joint efforts of LLNL employees and numerous
domestic and international institutions. Key players include:
- The U.S.
Department of Energy (DOE): Providing vital support and funding for LLNL's NIF
research and development.
- DOE's National
Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA): Collaborating with LLNL to achieve
scientific energy breakeven and enhance the nation's stockpile stewardship
program.
- DOE's Los
Alamos National Laboratory, Sandia National Laboratories, and Nevada National
Security Site: Playing pivotal roles in the research.
- General
Atomics: A crucial collaborator in the Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF)
program.
- Academic
Institutions: Institutions such as the University of Rochester’s Laboratory for
Laser Energetics, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the University of
California, Berkeley, and Princeton University, were instrumental in the
achievement.
- International
Partners: The United Kingdom’s Atomic Weapons Establishment and the French
Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission also made significant
contributions.
Implications
for Clean Energy and National Defense
This successful
fusion ignition experiment holds immense promise for clean and sustainable
energy. By exceeding the energy input and producing a net gain in fusion
energy, the research paves the way for future fusion energy commercialization.
However, further advancements are required to achieve simple, affordable
Inertial Fusion Energy (IFE) for widespread use.
Moreover, this
breakthrough has significant implications for national defense. Harnessing
fusion energy enhances the safety and reliability of the nation's nuclear
stockpile. It also opens up new scientific avenues and accelerates progress in
fusion energy technology.
Thus Speak
Authors/Experts
Various
authorities expressed admiration for the achievement of fusion ignition:
- U.S. Secretary
of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm: Commended the NIF researchers and staff and
reaffirmed the Biden-Harris Administration's support for world-class
scientists.
- Dr. Arati
Prabhakar: The President's chief adviser for Science and Technology and director
of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, acknowledged the
importance of perseverance in scientific breakthroughs.
- NNSA
Administrator Jill Hruby: Expressed gratitude to Congress for supporting the
National Ignition Facility and highlighted the significance of collaboration in
achieving this milestone.
- LLNL Director
Dr. Kim Budil: Recognized the dedication of researchers and their continuous
pursuit of the vision over 60 years, emphasizing the role of national
laboratories in solving complex problems.
- U.S. Senate
Majority Leader Charles Schumer: Applauded the achievement as a major step
towards a future powered by clean fusion energy and pledged support for further
research.
- U.S. Senator
Alex Padilla: Congratulated LLNL scientists and expressed pride in California's
leadership in developing clean energy technologies.
- U.S.
Representative Zoe Lofgren: Emphasized the need for funding and implementation
of fusion research to explore new pathways for clean and limitless energy.
- U.S.
Representative Eric Swalwell: Expressed excitement for the potential of fusion
energy in providing clean and sustainable energy for the future.
Conclusion
The achievement of fusion ignition at LLNL's NIF marks a groundbreaking scientific milestone. Surpassing the energy breakeven point has laid the foundation for a clean and sustainable energy future. Collaboration among domestic and international partners played a crucial role in this accomplishment. The successful fusion ignition not only promises clean energy but also impacts national defense and scientific progress. As the world strives for a net-zero carbon economy, this breakthrough represents a significant stride toward a cleaner and more sustainable future.
Image
Gallery
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 The target chamber of LLNL’s National Ignition Facility, where 192 laser beams delivered more than 2 million joules of ultraviolet energy to a tiny fuel pellet to create fusion ignition on Dec. 5, 2022. |
 The hohlraum that houses the type of cryogenic target used to achieve ignition on Dec. 5, 2022, at LLNL’s National Ignition Facility. |
 To create fusion ignition, the National Ignition Facility’s laser energy is converted into X-rays inside the hohlraum, which then compress a fuel capsule until it implodes, creating a high temperature, high pressure plasma. |
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All Images Credit: from References/Resources
sites [Internet] |
Hashtag/Keyword/Labels:
#FusionIgnition #CleanPower
#NationalDefense #NetZeroCarbon #FusionEnergy #ScientificBreakthrough #NNSA
#DOE #LLNL
References/Resources:
2.
https://www.llnl.gov/news/lawrence-livermore-national-laboratory-achieves-fusion-ignition
4.
National
Ignition Facility (NIF): https://lasers.llnl.gov/
5.
U.S.
Department of Energy (DOE): https://www.energy.gov/
6.
DOE's
National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA): https://www.energy.gov/nnsa/national-nuclear-security-administration-nnsa
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…till next
post, bye-bye and take-care.
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