MIT's new research aiming to realize nuclear fusion power station within 15 years started

The energy necessary for human life is generated primarily by thermal power generation and nuclear power generation as of 2018, but as energy generation technology of fusion as a new power generation technology "Nuclear fusion power generation"Is being studied. About nuclear fusion power generation, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the United States has announced that it has entered a new phase, and it is said that it aims to realize within 15 years.

MIT and newly formed company launch novel approach to fusion power | MIT News
http://news.mit.edu/2018/mit-newly-formed-company-launch-novel-approach-fusion-power-0309

Fusion power generation focuses on "sun" having virtually infinite energy and uses the nuclear fusion reaction mechanism occurring inside the sun for power generation. "Nuclear" is associated with nuclear power generation, but nuclear fusion power generation has fewer radioactivity problems and is drawing attention as it can become a safe and clean energy. Although MIT was one of the facilities to continue research on nuclear fusion power generation, it was reported that in 2016 the financial aid from the government was terminated.

The detailed mechanism of nuclear fusion power generation can be read from the following article.

Can human beings put the ultimate energy source "nuclear fusion energy" into practical use? - GIGAZINE


However, with a new announcement, researchers at MIT announced to cooperate with a private company called Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS). A new plan that is funded by 30 million dollars (about 3.2 billion yen) is rapidly proceeding, and the possibility that fusion energy can be put to practical use in the next 15 years is shown.


The research team's ultimate goal is to generate 100 million watts of energy while being compact enough to be mounted on a truckTokamak typeIt is said that it is to make a nuclear reactor. However, in order to create such a nuclear reactor, it is necessary to first develop "the world's most powerful superconducting electromagnet", MIT receives financial assistance from CFS and completes this first phase in the next three years It is a prospect.

"The presence of advanced superconducting electromagnets will make the possibility of future energy without safety and carbon emissions realistic," said Mr. L. Rafael Reif, MIT's representative.

Researchers at MIT are trying to develop,Yttrium-based superconductorExisting 4 times strong superconducting electromagnet made from material called so. Researchers believe that applying this superconducting electromagnet to the prototype of a nuclear reactor called Sparc will produce a safe and sustainable energy of zero carbon emissions on a scale that can cover small towns.

And as Sparc moves according to plan, it seems that it is doubling the scale and looking to use it commercially. It seems that such a world's first nuclear fusion facility is expected to develop within 15 years.