popular articles

U.S. takes merger step

The United States realizes for the first time, the fusion, by the national laboratory of the Department Of Energy (DOE).

Please share:

The United States realizes for the first time, the fusion, by the national laboratory of the Department Of Energy (DOE).

The United States achieves fusion ignition

In the U.S., researchers are producing more energy from fusion than they are using to make it. This promises new discoveries in clean energy and nuclear weapons management. The first fusion ignition experiment took place on December 5.

A team from the National Ignition Facility (NIF) at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) was successful in this step. This experiment follows decades of progress towards nuclear fusion. Fusion is the process by which two light nuclei combine to form a single heavier nucleus, releasing a large amount of energy.

For this realization, LLNL uses a laser system, the largest and most powerful in the world, the NIF. It uses laser beams to create temperatures and pressures similar to those in the heart of stars. The fusion thus produces more energy than the laser energy used to power it.

Specifically, the LLNL experiment delivered 2.05MJ of energy to the target, producing 3.15 MJ of fusion energy. This demonstrates for the first time a very fundamental scientific basis for inertial fusion energy. This achievement provides unprecedented capacity to support the National Nuclear Security Administration’s (NNSA) inventory management program.

A promising future

In addition, this fusion experiment will provide information on the prospects for clean fusion energy. This step is a game-changer for achieving U.S. climate goals. The realization of this scientific feat was possible thanks to the collaboration of many actors.

Universities such as MIT, Berkeley, and Princeton University participate in this program. International partners contribute to this success. Thus, the French Atomic Energy Commission is part of the project.

The Department Of Energy is currently re-launching a coordinated, large-scale inertial fusion program in the United States. Many scientific and technological developments are still needed to achieve a simple and affordable fusion process to power homes and businesses. However, there is a real willingness to move quickly towards commercialization of the merger.

Private investments in particular support this effort, combined with public investments. Many actors emphasize the environmental aspect, like U.S. Senator Jack Reed who states:

“I congratulate the U.S. Department of Energy and all those who contributed to this promising breakthrough that could help power a brighter clean energy future.”

Finally, it has the advantage of not producing high-level, long-lived radioactive waste.

Register free of charge for uninterrupted access.

Publicite

Recently published in

The agreement between NANO Nuclear Energy and the University of Illinois launches the first university-based installation of the KRONOS MMR reactor, marking the beginning of construction and certification procedures.
Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe has signed a development agreement with the Westinghouse-Bechtel consortium, ensuring continuity of Poland's first nuclear plant project after a previous contract expired.
Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe has signed a development agreement with the Westinghouse-Bechtel consortium, ensuring continuity of Poland's first nuclear plant project after a previous contract expired.
Fermi Energia has signed a strategic agreement with Samsung C&T to develop two small modular reactors in Estonia, targeting commercial operation by 2035.
Fermi Energia has signed a strategic agreement with Samsung C&T to develop two small modular reactors in Estonia, targeting commercial operation by 2035.
China National Nuclear Corporation mobilizes international investors and financial partners for a unique nuclear project combining two distinct technologies to simultaneously supply industrial heat and electricity, marking a new strategic step for China's energy industry.
China National Nuclear Corporation mobilizes international investors and financial partners for a unique nuclear project combining two distinct technologies to simultaneously supply industrial heat and electricity, marking a new strategic step for China's energy industry.
Framatome and TechnicAtome have acquired Segault, a strategic nuclear valve manufacturer, thereby blocking a takeover by the American firm Flowserve following opposition from the French government.
The United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission has approved a 20-year extension for the operating licences of Oconee Nuclear Station, reinforcing energy supply in the Carolinas amid growing regional demand.
The United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission has approved a 20-year extension for the operating licences of Oconee Nuclear Station, reinforcing energy supply in the Carolinas amid growing regional demand.
A radioactive steam leak detected in the reactor building of Flamanville unit 1 forces EDF to postpone its restart by one month, according to the Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Authority.
A radioactive steam leak detected in the reactor building of Flamanville unit 1 forces EDF to postpone its restart by one month, according to the Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Authority.
French firm Framatome has been selected to modernise control systems at Switzerland’s Leibstadt nuclear plant, as part of a strategic investment aiming to extend its operation through 2045.
French firm Framatome has been selected to modernise control systems at Switzerland’s Leibstadt nuclear plant, as part of a strategic investment aiming to extend its operation through 2045.
The U.S. Department of Energy reopens a $900M envelope to finance the construction of third-generation small modular reactors, aiming to rapidly expand national power capacity.
HYLENR Technologies has signed a memorandum of understanding with TakeMe2Space to test a low-energy nuclear reaction power solution aboard satellites designed for orbital computing.
HYLENR Technologies has signed a memorandum of understanding with TakeMe2Space to test a low-energy nuclear reaction power solution aboard satellites designed for orbital computing.
Japanese researchers have assembled a rechargeable battery harnessing the chemical properties of uranium, aiming to convert stored depleted uranium into a strategic energy storage resource.
Japanese researchers have assembled a rechargeable battery harnessing the chemical properties of uranium, aiming to convert stored depleted uranium into a strategic energy storage resource.
The French government is pressing EDF and industrial players to reach a pricing agreement by summer, amid ongoing tensions over nuclear supply contracts.
The French government is pressing EDF and industrial players to reach a pricing agreement by summer, amid ongoing tensions over nuclear supply contracts.
Two small modular reactor developers begin preliminary engagement with the US nuclear authority, ahead of filing applications for distinct projects targeting industrial use cases.
Fortum continues preparations for new nuclear capacity in Finland and Sweden, selecting three suppliers after a two-year feasibility study.
Fortum continues preparations for new nuclear capacity in Finland and Sweden, selecting three suppliers after a two-year feasibility study.
NRG-Pallas will conduct irradiation tests necessary for qualifying materials and fuel of Kairos Power's modular reactor, a critical prerequisite for regulatory approval in the United States.
NRG-Pallas will conduct irradiation tests necessary for qualifying materials and fuel of Kairos Power's modular reactor, a critical prerequisite for regulatory approval in the United States.
Tokyo Electric Power Company will begin next week the removal of thousands of contaminated sandbags, stored since 2011 in the Fukushima Daiichi basements, using robots designed for high-radiation environments.
Tokyo Electric Power Company will begin next week the removal of thousands of contaminated sandbags, stored since 2011 in the Fukushima Daiichi basements, using robots designed for high-radiation environments.
Welding of the main reactor for Egypt’s El Dabaa nuclear power plant has been completed in Russia, marking a major milestone in the development of the country's first civilian nuclear programme.
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has established a new agency to oversee nuclear energy, appointing Almassadam Satkaliyev as its head. This structure aims to enhance the country’s energy security and support its long-term nuclear ambitions.
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has established a new agency to oversee nuclear energy, appointing Almassadam Satkaliyev as its head. This structure aims to enhance the country’s energy security and support its long-term nuclear ambitions.
The US Department of Energy allocated a $57 million loan to Holtec International to support the relaunch of the Palisades nuclear plant, which has been closed since 2022, to ensure compliance with NRC safety standards.
The US Department of Energy allocated a $57 million loan to Holtec International to support the relaunch of the Palisades nuclear plant, which has been closed since 2022, to ensure compliance with NRC safety standards.
Orano and Navoiyuran have signed a strategic agreement for the industrial development of the South Djengeldi uranium deposit in Uzbekistan, with the entry of Japanese company ITOCHU Corporation as a minority partner.
Orano and Navoiyuran have signed a strategic agreement for the industrial development of the South Djengeldi uranium deposit in Uzbekistan, with the entry of Japanese company ITOCHU Corporation as a minority partner.
President Emmanuel Macron has announced an additional delay for the commissioning of the first EPR2 reactors, now set for 2038 instead of 2035. This decision was made during a meeting dedicated to the nuclear program.
Engie has finalized a ten-year extension agreement with the Belgian state for the Doel 4 and Tihange 3 nuclear reactors, including a financial responsibility transfer related to spent fuel, following recent approval by the European Commission.
Engie has finalized a ten-year extension agreement with the Belgian state for the Doel 4 and Tihange 3 nuclear reactors, including a financial responsibility transfer related to spent fuel, following recent approval by the European Commission.
Tests on the concrete of the EPR2 Penly seawall have raised doubts about its compliance with safety standards, according to Mediapart and Reporterre. EDF and Eiffage contest these claims, asserting that the material meets technical requirements.
Tests on the concrete of the EPR2 Penly seawall have raised doubts about its compliance with safety standards, according to Mediapart and Reporterre. EDF and Eiffage contest these claims, asserting that the material meets technical requirements.
On Monday, President Emmanuel Macron will chair a Nuclear Policy Council focused on small modular reactors (SMRs) and uranium supply, within a global context of renewed interest in nuclear energy.
On Monday, President Emmanuel Macron will chair a Nuclear Policy Council focused on small modular reactors (SMRs) and uranium supply, within a global context of renewed interest in nuclear energy.

Advertising