South Korean Scientists Sustain Temperatures of 100 Million Degrees Celsius for Fusion Energy Research

Scientists in South Korea have achieved a groundbreaking milestone in nuclear fusion research by sustaining temperatures of 100 million degrees Celsius, a feat that is seven times hotter than the core of the sun. This achievement marks a significant step towards harnessing fusion energy, which has long been touted as the holy grail of clean energy solutions. Nuclear fusion is the process that powers the sun and other stars, where two atoms are fused together to release massive amounts of energy.

Unlike traditional nuclear fission reactions that are used in current nuclear power plants, fusion reactions do not produce any carbon emissions that contribute to climate change. The key to achieving fusion energy lies in creating and maintaining the conditions necessary for fusion reactions to occur. Scientists use a device called a tokamak, a donut-shaped reactor, to heat hydrogen isotopes to extremely high temperatures, creating a plasma state where fusion reactions can take place.

The KSTAR Research Center at the Korean Institute of Fusion Energy (KFE) recently made headlines by successfully sustaining plasma temperatures of 100 million degrees for 48 seconds, breaking their previous record of 30 seconds. This achievement was the result of years of research and development aimed at overcoming the challenges of maintaining stable high-temperature plasma. The KFE scientists attribute their success to innovations in the use of tungsten, a metal, in the diverters of the tokamak, which helps extract impurities and heat generated by the fusion reaction.

Their ultimate goal is to sustain plasma temperatures of 100 million degrees for at least 300 seconds by 2026, a critical milestone that will pave the way for scaling up fusion operations. The data and insights gleaned from the experiments conducted at KSTAR will also contribute to the development of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) in France, the world's largest tokamak. The successful operation of ITER is crucial for advancing the commercialization of fusion energy and realizing its full potential as a clean, limitless energy source.

In a statement to the press, Director Si-Woo Yoon emphasized the importance of achieving sustained high plasma temperatures for long durations, noting that it opens up new possibilities for the future of nuclear fusion reactors. He highlighted the role that KSTAR's research will play in supporting ITER's operations and accelerating the commercialization of fusion energy. The recent success of the KSTAR team in South Korea represents a significant milestone in the field of nuclear fusion research, bringing us one step closer to unlocking the potential of fusion energy as a sustainable and environmentally friendly power source.

As scientists continue to push the boundaries of what is possible, the dream of harnessing the power of the sun here on Earth is becoming increasingly within reach.