Latest news with #NuclearFusion
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Startups shatter records to develop game-changing energy facilities: 'Holds the potential to fundamentally transform the way we think about energy'
Fusion energy is heating up in Europe. Startups raked in a record €290 million (around $339 million) in the first half of 2025 as investors piled into the dream of near-limitless clean power, reported The Next Web. This year's tally has already overtaken 2024's total of €185 million, which was the previous high watermark for European fusion funding, the publication said, citing Dealroom data. Topping the list was Munich-based Proxima Fusion. It scored a record-high deal for a European fusion startup, raising €130 million in June. The company is betting on a fusion device called a stellarator, an intricate, twisted ring of metal that founders hope could offer a more stable source of fusion energy than existing reactors. Proxima cofounder Francesco Sciortino told The Next Web: "Fusion holds the potential to fundamentally transform the way we think about energy, changing the world from a place that's controlled by those with reserves of oil and gas, to one where technology lets countries control their own fate." According to the International Atomic Energy Agency, nuclear fusion is the process of combining two light atoms, such as hydrogen, into a heavier one, which releases a huge amount of energy. It's the same reaction that powers the sun. Scientists are working to recreate it and make it commercially viable on Earth, something that some experts think could happen in the 2030s. The benefit of fusion is that it doesn't depend on the weather, like wind and solar energy production, meaning cheaper, more predictable clean power for everything from public transport to data centers to heating homes. Unlike current nuclear power plants that use fission, which involves splitting atoms and results in radioactive waste, fusion does not create long-lasting harmful byproducts. The second-biggest European fundraiser was Munich-based Marvel Fusion, which raised €113 million in a funding round in March, per The Next Web. Should the government continue to give tax incentives for energy-efficient home upgrades? Absolutely No Depends on the upgrade I don't know Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Marvel is developing a type of fusion that uses lasers to create extreme heat, causing atoms to fuse together and release energy. Meanwhile, researchers in California achieved a fusion ignition in 2023, meaning they generated more energy than they used in the reaction. While the technology is still a way off, experts think it could eventually become a source of virtually limitless clean energy — cutting out the need for carbon-emitting dirty fuels altogether and making the planet a healthier and safer place for generations to come. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Sustainability Times
10-05-2025
- Science
- Sustainability Times
'Fusion Breakthrough After 70 Years': U.S. Scientists Finally Crack Critical Energy Puzzle in Historic Nuclear Milestone
IN A NUTSHELL 💡 Nuclear Fusion Breakthrough : Scientists solve a 70-year-old problem, accelerating the path to clean energy. : Scientists solve a 70-year-old problem, accelerating the path to clean energy. 🔍 Symmetry Theory Approach : New method allows for faster and more accurate design of magnetic confinement systems. : New method allows for faster and more accurate design of magnetic confinement systems. 🌍 Environmental Impact : Fusion technology promises abundant energy without greenhouse gas emissions or long-lived radioactive waste. : Fusion technology promises abundant energy without greenhouse gas emissions or long-lived radioactive waste. ⚙️ Engineering Innovation: Advances in reactor design could transform global energy production and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. Nuclear fusion has long been hailed as the holy grail of energy production, promising a future of clean, limitless power without the environmental drawbacks associated with fossil fuels. The pursuit of this breakthrough, however, has been marred by numerous technical challenges that have stymied progress for decades. Recently, scientists in the United States made a monumental leap by solving a 70-year-old problem in nuclear fusion research, a breakthrough that could drastically accelerate the development of fusion energy. This article explores the intricacies of this achievement and its potential implications for the future. Understanding the Challenge in Nuclear Fusion To achieve nuclear fusion, scientists must replicate the extreme conditions found within stars, where isotopes of hydrogen are heated to temperatures surpassing those on the Sun's surface. In these conditions, hydrogen exists in a state called plasma, which allows the isotopes to fuse, forming helium and releasing vast amounts of energy. However, this high-energy plasma must be contained within the reactor walls to sustain the fusion process. The escape of alpha particles from the plasma has been a significant challenge, as it causes the plasma to cool and lose the density required for sustained energy production. Traditional methods of containing the plasma involve sophisticated magnetic confinement systems, designed to act as a 'magnetic bottle' to prevent particle leakage. Unfortunately, these systems often have flaws—holes in the magnetic field—that allow alpha particles to escape. Predicting and preventing these breaches has been a painstakingly slow and computationally expensive process, requiring extensive simulations and trial-and-error adjustments. Despite these challenges, the potential for clean energy has driven researchers to continue their pursuit of viable solutions. Scientists Create Extremely Heavy Hydrogen Isotope Using Electron Beams in a Historic First That Redefines Atomic Research When Newton's Laws Can't Help Nuclear Fusion Engineers have long relied on Newton's Laws of Motion to predict the behavior of particles within fusion reactors. While theoretically sound, this approach demands extensive computational resources and time, rendering it impractical for designing complex systems like stellarators. The alternative, perturbation theory, offers a simpler but less precise model, leading to slower advancements in reactor design. The inefficiency of these methods has been a significant bottleneck in the development of fusion technology. The need for a more efficient solution sparked collaboration among researchers at the University of Texas at Austin, Los Alamos National Laboratory, and Type One Energy Group. Together, they sought to overcome the limitations of existing models and develop a new approach that would streamline the design process for magnetic confinement systems, ultimately paving the way for more rapid advancements in nuclear fusion technology. Missouri Unleashes Nuclear Shockwave: Building America's Most Powerful University Reactor to Stun the Nation and Redefine Campus Research Power The Symmetry Theory Approach The breakthrough came in the form of a symmetry theory approach, a novel method that allows engineers to design magnetic confinement systems 10 times faster than traditional methods. This approach maintains the accuracy of Newton's laws while eliminating the computational burden associated with them. Remarkably, it applies to both stellarators and tokamaks, the latter being another popular type of fusion reactor facing similar challenges with electron escape. Josh Burby, the assistant professor leading the research, expressed excitement over solving a problem that has long plagued the field. By addressing the gaps in magnetic fields that allow particles to escape, the symmetry theory approach represents a paradigm shift in reactor design. This newfound efficiency not only accelerates the development of fusion technology but also brings us closer to realizing a future powered by clean, sustainable energy. 'Earthquakes Mask Nuclear Blasts': Alarming US Study Reveals These Ground-Shaking Threats in Their Hidden Underground Havens The Implications of a Fusion-Powered Future With the potential to revolutionize energy production, nuclear fusion technology promises a future free from the environmental and safety concerns of current energy sources. Unlike fossil fuels, fusion does not emit planet-warming gases or produce long-lived radioactive waste. The successful implementation of fusion energy could significantly reduce our reliance on oil, coal, and natural gas, curbing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating climate change. Moreover, fusion's inherent safety features, such as the inability to sustain a runaway reaction, make it a desirable alternative to nuclear fission. As the new symmetry theory approach accelerates the development of fusion reactors, we edge closer to a breakthrough that could transform our energy landscape. This technological leap could not only ensure energy security but also provide an abundant, clean power source for generations to come. As scientists continue to refine and implement these groundbreaking advancements, the question remains: how soon will we witness the dawn of a fusion-powered world, and what challenges will we face in adapting to this new energy paradigm? Did you like it? 4.6/5 (30)
