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Forbes
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Forbes
The Prototype: One Step Closer To Fusion Power
In this week's edition of The Prototype, we look at new advances in fusion power, how the new budget bill undermines clean energy, a new trick to treat autoimmune diseases and more. You can sign up to get The Prototype in your inbox here . View of the research reactor Wendelstein 7-X dpa/picture alliance via Getty Images T wo different fusion experiments in Europe have recently set records–and may be bringing the world closer to real fusion power. One is the Wendelstein 7-X, which is at the Max Planck Institute in Germany. The other is the Joint European Torus (JET), which was retired at the end of 2023 but whose final experimental data haven't been published yet. The two projects used different approaches to contain superheated plasma–isotopes of hydrogen that are hotter than the Sun's surface–for a relatively long period of time. The Wendelstein 7-X contained it for about 43 seconds, many times more than it had been able to do before. And the JET achieved containment for nearly a full minute. These are crucial steps to achieve a sustained and continuous fusion reaction, which is necessary to use it as a power source. The challenge is being able to control something at such high temperatures without destroying the reactor unit. Wendelstein 7-X uses a design concept called a stellarator, which holds the plasma using magnetic fields generated by superconductors. The researchers at the fusion power project now have a new goal of containing the plasma for half an hour. P.S. There will be no edition of the Prototype next week. I'll see you all on July 18! Red States–And AI–Are Big Losers From Trump's Clean Energy Massacre Charlie Riedel/AP File P resident Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act passed the House and Senate this week. And one major consequence is that it will cut the legs out from under the renewable energy industry. The biggest hit: The bill would quickly phase out federal tax credits that have for years enabled wind and solar developers to offset 30% or more of project costs. Yes, it could have been even worse. At the last minute, the Senate's Republican leadership ditched a proposed excise tax on wind and solar projects using Chinese components which could have added 20% to the cost of many projects. But it left in a fast phase-out of the tax credits. Uncertainty, and the looming end of federally subsidized tax equity financing, could plunge renewables investing into a deep freeze, says Sandhya Ganapathy, CEO of Houston-based EDP Renewables North America (which operates wind and solar plants). 'It severely hamstrings the U.S. ability to meet skyrocketing power demands and dilutes its economic competitiveness on the global stage,' she says. Read more in Forbes . DISCOVERY OF THE WEEK: TURNING OFF CELLS IN AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES An international team of researchers has engineered a protein capable of turning off the immune cells that attack the body in diseases such as multiple sclerosis or type 1 diabetes, without weakening the immune system as a whole. The antibody they designed attaches to the T-cells involved in these diseases in such a way that deactivates them, preventing them from attacking the body's own cells anymore. But because it's specific to the cells that cause disease, it doesn't attach to other T-cells in the body, which can remain active to ward off infection, cancer and other hazards. FINAL FRONTIER: AN INTERSTELLAR COMET ENTERS THE SOLAR SYSTEM Astronomers have discovered a comet in our solar system that they believe came from interstellar space. This is only the third such object to have been discovered since 2017. The comet, which is about 12 miles in diameter, was first noted earlier this week. It won't be traveling anywhere near Earth, though it will come close to Mars. It's expected to leave the solar system in October. WHAT ELSE I WROTE THIS WEEK In my other newsletter, InnovationRx, Amy Feldman and I looked at the millions of patients who will lose health insurance under the new budget bill, a startup that built a hospital in India to test its AI software, a next-generation obesity drug, and more. For the Forbes Breaking News YouTube channel, I interviewed vaccine expert Paul Offit at last week's meeting of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, which provides recommendations regarding vaccine administration. This is the first meeting with new members appointed by Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., several of whom have spread misinformation about vaccines in the past. Digital startup Pi Health has built a hospital in India to demonstrate the effectiveness of its software platform, which uses AI to recruit patients to clinical trials of new drugs. Google signed an agreement with fusion power startup Commonwealth Fusion Systems. Under the deal's terms, Google will have access to 200 MW of power from the startup's inaugural plant, which is being built in Virginia and expects to go online in the next decade. SpaceX hit a rocket milestone this week, launching a Falcon 9 rocket for the 500th time on Wednesday. It was the 29th launch for the first stage of that rocket, which landed successfully. Researchers made edible lasers, which might prove to be useful one day as sensors to monitor and track food or medicine intake. A new gene therapy was able to restore hearing for toddlers and young adults who were congenitally deaf, though the research indicates the best results were seen in patients aged 5-8. PRO SCIENCE TIP: HAVING NIGHTMARES? MAYBE LAY OFF DAIRY If you're having trouble sleeping and having bad dreams, the cheese you had before bedtime might be the culprit, according to a new study published this week in Frontiers in Psychology . To arrive at this conclusion, researchers surveyed over 1,000 college students about their sleep quality and eating habits, and found that students with lactose intolerance were more likely to have nightmares. The researchers suggest this may be because gas pains or other discomfort might impact their dreams. Next up, the scientists plan to study people from a more diverse population to determine if the findings hold. WHAT'S ENTERTAINING ME THIS WEEK Every Fourth of July, it's my own personal tradition to watch the movie 1776 , based on the Broadway musical. It is a fantastic, warts-and-all presentation of the Second Continental Congress and its work to finally vote for independence from Great Britain. The movie features a number of great performances, particularly Howard Da Silva as Ben Franklin, Donald Madden as John Dickinson and of course the incomparable William Daniels as John Adams. MORE FROM FORBES Forbes Korean Internet Giant Kakao Teams With OpenAI To Jumpstart Growth By John Kang Forbes How This Chicago Private Equity Firm Scored The Biggest Exit Of 2025 By Hank Tucker Forbes The Top 10 Richest People In The World (July 2025) By Forbes Wealth Team
Sustainability Times
10-06-2025
- Science
- Sustainability Times
'Plasma Chaos Finally Cracked': This New Tech Unveils the Hidden Turbulence Threatening the Future of Nuclear Fusion
IN A NUTSHELL 🔬 Japanese scientists have developed a groundbreaking technique using quantum mechanics to analyze plasma turbulence. have developed a groundbreaking technique using quantum mechanics to analyze plasma turbulence. 📊 The new method, called multi-field singular value decomposition , provides clearer insights into the interactions within fusion plasmas. , provides clearer insights into the interactions within fusion plasmas. 🌊 The research has implications beyond plasma physics, potentially impacting fields like weather dynamics and social systems . and . 🔍 By integrating energy and information perspectives, this study opens new avenues for understanding and controlling turbulent phenomena. The world of plasma physics is on the brink of a revolutionary transformation. Scientists in Japan have pioneered a groundbreaking technique to analyze plasma turbulence, offering unprecedented insights into the complex systems that govern our universe. This breakthrough, led by Dr. Go Yatomi and Dr. Motoki Nakata, leverages the principles of quantum mechanics to address longstanding challenges in understanding plasma behavior. By employing multi-field singular value decomposition, researchers can now unravel the intricate web of interactions within fusion plasmas, paving the way for advancements in nuclear reactors and beyond. Understanding Plasma Turbulence Turbulence is a fascinating yet complex phenomenon that occurs in fluids such as air, water, and plasma. It plays a vital role in shaping natural and engineered systems, from weather patterns to ocean currents and even the performance of jet engines. In the realm of plasma physics, turbulence is particularly intricate, involving the simultaneous evolution of multiple interdependent physical fields. These fields interact in ways that are crucial for optimizing the performance of next-generation fusion reactors. Traditionally, scientists have studied plasma turbulence by examining fluctuations in individual quantities like temperature or density. However, this approach often misses the bigger picture, as it fails to capture localized vortex structures and the complex interplay between multiple interacting fields. This limitation has prompted researchers to develop innovative methods to better understand plasma turbulence and its implications for fusion technology. 'Century-Old Puzzle Finally Solved': Mathematicians Crack Code That Can Supercharge the World's Most Powerful Turbines The Role of Information Entropy In a bid to address the challenges of understanding plasma turbulence, the research team introduced the concept of information entropy to their analysis. By applying entropy-based tools from quantum physics, including von Neumann entropy and entanglement entropy, they were able to capture the structural complexity of turbulent fluctuations. These measures revealed a previously overlooked transition in the turbulence state, shedding light on how different turbulence patterns are interconnected. Through the application of multi-field singular value decomposition, the scientists extracted shared spatial patterns across multiple fluctuating fields. This approach allowed them to identify a sudden shift in the collective patterns of vortices, a process that can significantly impact the confinement of heat and particles in a fusion reactor. By simplifying the complexity of turbulent interactions, this method makes the analysis more accessible and informative. 'France Still Ahead': While U.S. Boasts Laser as Powerful as a Million Reactors, Apollon Quietly Breaks Global Energy Records Implications for Fusion Reactors The findings of this study have profound implications for the future of fusion reactors. The newly discovered transition in turbulence reflects a shift in how energy and fluctuations move between patterns. This insight is crucial for improving the confinement of heat and particles within a fusion reactor, ultimately enhancing its efficiency and performance. Unlike traditional methods, the use of information entropy offers a more comprehensive understanding of the dynamics at play. The researchers believe that their approach can be applied beyond plasma physics, with potential applications in a wide range of complex systems. From weather and ocean dynamics to traffic networks and social systems, the principles explored in this study hold promise for understanding and optimizing various phenomena. By integrating energy and information perspectives, this research opens new avenues for exploring the essential dynamics of turbulence and other complex interactions. 'They Morph Like Liquid Metal': Scientists Reveal Mini-Robot Swarm That Shape-Shifts Just Like in Sci-Fi Movies Future Directions in Turbulence Research Building upon their groundbreaking findings, the research team plans to further explore the theoretical correspondence between information entropy in turbulence and principles in quantum information theory. They also intend to test their method on real-world experimental data, expanding its applicability and robustness. By delving deeper into the intricacies of turbulence, scientists aim to unlock new opportunities for technological advancements and scientific understanding. The study's impact extends beyond plasma physics, offering valuable insights into diverse fields that involve complex systems with interacting factors. As researchers continue to refine their methods and expand their applications, the potential for transformative breakthroughs in understanding and controlling turbulent phenomena is immense. By embracing a multidisciplinary approach, the scientific community is poised to make significant strides in unraveling the mysteries of turbulence and its far-reaching implications. The advancements in understanding plasma turbulence highlight the power of interdisciplinary research and the potential for transformative breakthroughs. As scientists continue to explore the intricacies of complex systems, what new discoveries await in the ever-evolving landscape of scientific inquiry? Our author used artificial intelligence to enhance this article. Did you like it? 4.7/5 (29)
Daily Mail
06-06-2025
- Science
- Daily Mail
Nuclear fusion breakthrough: Germany's reactor sets a new record after running for 43 seconds - taking the world closer towards limitless clean energy
In the core of the sun, a fiery reaction known as nuclear fusion is taking place 24/7. The process involves two light atomic nuclei combining to form a single heavier one while releasing massive amounts of energy. If we can replicate nuclear fusion on Earth for long enough, we may be able to unlock clean, affordable energy for people's homes. Now, scientists in Germany have taken a giant step closer towards making this a reality. Using the Wendelstein 7-X nuclear fusion reactor in the city of Greifswald, they've set a new world record for a crucial metric in fusion physics. The record marks the highest performing sustained fusion experiment that ran longer than 30 seconds – with fusion lasting for an impressive 43 seconds. Wendelstein 7-X is part of a worldwide effort to harness nuclear fusion, which could replace fossil fuels and conventional nuclear fission reactors. The pretzel-shaped machine, which has a diameter of 50 feet and a height of 16ft, uses an extremely low-density and electrically charged hydrogen gas as fuel. The €1.6 billion (£1.3 billion) Wendelstein 7-X device, which began operations in December 2015, was built to 'recreate conditions inside stars'. Officially, it is a 'stellarator' – a type of fusion device that confine hot, charged gas, otherwise known as plasma, that fuels fusion reactions in twisty magnetic fields. Plasmas must meet three conditions for nuclear fusion to occur – reaching sufficient temperature, density and confinement time. Together, these factors comprise what is known as the 'triple product', described as a crucial metric of nuclear fusion physics. A higher triple product indicates greater fusion power and better potential for a successful, self-sustaining fusion reaction. According to the researchers, the Wendelstein 7-X stellarator managed to achieve a new world record for the triple product. On May 22, the final day of its latest research campaign, plasma inside Wendelstein 7-X was raised to over 20 million °C, reaching a peak of 30 million °C. In the record-breaking experiment, the machine sustained a high-performance plasma for 43 seconds. The device is the world's biggest of its kind and is paving the way for operational nuclear fusion technology, which, if successful, would revolutionize electricity production. Nuclear fusion fuses hydrogen nuclei to form helium, which generates energy from a nearly endless supply of hydrogen on the Earth What is the triple product? The triple product - also known as the Lawson criterion - is the key metric for success on the path to a fusion power plant. Only when a certain threshold is exceeded can a plasma produce more fusion power than the heating power invested. This marks the point where the energy balance becomes positive, and the fusion reaction can sustain itself without continued external heating. The triple product is derived from three factors: - the particle density of the plasma - its temperature (more precisely the temperature of the ions between which fusion reactions take place) - energy confinement time - the time it takes for the thermal energy to escape from the plasma if no additional heat is supplied. The new record beats previously set values by the Japanese Tokamak JT60U (decommissioned in 2008) and the European Tokamak facility JET in Britain (decommissioned in 2023). Both of these devices were the more widely-used tokamaks, which are slightly different fusion machines from stellarators. Stellarators have the same doughnut shape as a tokamak but use a complicated system of magnetic coils instead of a current to achieve the same result. Tokamaks are much better studied due to their simpler design compared with stellarators, which are far harder to build, but easier to operate. Novimir Pablant, the division head for stellarator experiments at the US Department of Energy's Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL), said passing the 30-second mark is a key milestone. If a stellarator can reach this record for 30 seconds, there's no reason these plasma conditions couldn't be sustained for weeks, months or even years because 30 seconds is long enough for the scientists to see the relevant physics at work. 'This experiment ran long enough that nothing is changing any longer in terms of the plasma or experiment conditions,' Pablant said. In the experiments, a key role was played by a new pellet injector, developed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee. which injects a steady supply of frozen hydrogen pellets into the plasma, enabling long plasma durations through continuous refueling. During the experiment, about 90 frozen hydrogen pellets, each about a millimeter in size, were injected over 43 seconds, while powerful microwaves simultaneously heated the plasma. W7-X demonstrates that stellarators can achieve the outstanding properties predicted by nuclear fusion theory, the Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics (IPP) said in a statement. There are already nuclear power plants around the world, but they use nuclear fission, which has the disadvantage of generating unstable nuclei, some of which are radioactive for millions of years. Fusion, on the other hand, does not create any long-lived radioactive nuclear waste but instead helium, which is an inert gas. Fusion fuel is made up of deuterium and tritium, which are isotopes of hydrogen, the most abundant element in the universe, giving scientists hopes of 'unlimited energy'. Thomas Klinger, head of operations at Wendelstein 7-X, said the new record is a 'tremendous achievement' by the international team. 'Elevating the triple product to tokamak levels during long plasma pulses marks another important milestone on the way toward a power-plant-capable stellarator,' he said. WHAT IS A STELLARATOR REACTOR AND HOW DOES IT DIFFER FROM A TOKAMAK? Stellarators are a type of nuclear fusion reactor and are less widely used than tokamak reactors. Instead of trying to control plasma with just a 2D magnetic field, which is the approach used by the more common tokamak reactors, the stellerator works by generating twisted, 3D magnetic fields. Stellarators confine the hot, charged gas, otherwise known as plasma, that fuels fusion reactions in these twisty magnetic fields. In contrast, tokamaks use a strong electric current to trap plasma inside a doughnut-shaped device long enough for fusion to take place. The tokamak was conceived by Soviet physicists in the 1950s and is considered fairly easy to build, but extremely difficult to operate. The twisty configuration of stellarators enables them to control the plasma with no need for the current that tokamaks must induce in the gas.
