NEWS – California-based Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) has observed “net energy gain” in fusion experiments

LAWRENCE LIVERMORE NATIONAL LABORATORY (LLNL)

• Federally funded research and development center (FFRDC) located in Livermore, California, United States
• One of the three national laboratories overseen by the Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
• Established 1952
• LLNL uses high temperatures of millions of degrees Celsius, some electrochemists have attempted fusion at room temperature, which yielded byproducts like neutrons and tritium with electrolysis of heavy water on the surface of the Palladium electrode. But we have yet to achieve this at room temperature
• However, LLNL pursued the concept for over two decades by building a series of laser systems in an area equivalent to the size of a sports field
• This led to the creation of the National Ignition Facility (NIF), which generates powerful laser beams that create temperature and pressure like those in the cores of stars and exploding nuclear weapons

FUSION V/S FISSION

• Nuclear fusion and fission are nuclear reactions in which the binding energy of protons and neutrons in atomic nuclei is utilised, and an enormous amount of energy is released
• In fission reactions, a heavier and unstable nucleus splits into two smaller nuclei, while in fusion reactions, two lighter nuclei combine to form a heavier one
• Thus, nuclear fusion is a reaction in which two or more atomic nuclei, usually deuterium and tritium (both isotopes of hydrogen), combine to form one or more atomic nuclei, neutron and proton
• The difference in mass between reactants and products is manifested in the absorption/ release of energy, also called nuclear binding energy
• When deuterium and tritium nuclei fuse, helium is formed, and a tremendous amount of binding energy is released
• Fusion reaction has been powering the sun and stars for billions of years
• The isotope of Uranium (U235), when bombarded by neutron radiation, splits in Barium (Ba), Krypton (Kr) and more neutron radiation, which has the potential to excite the isotope of Uranium and continue the chain reaction
• Enormous energy is released in each reaction. 235 is the mass number of the isotope of Uranium—the sum of the number of protons and neutrons in its nucleus
• The energy released from fission reactions is utilised to boil water and generate steam, which helps run the turbine and generate electricity
• The radioactive isotopes of Barium, Krypton, and Uranium, byproducts of fission reactions, need special disposal facilities and can remain radioactive for thousands of years
• Any accident can release radioactive materials into the environment, causing human health hazards
• In a densely populated country like India, the establishment of nuclear fission reactors is questioned by the masses, fearing accidents from nuclear waste
• Scientists have had the challenge of generating and maintaining the high pressure and temperature required for fusion reactions
• Now, scientists have succeeded in gaining net energy through fusion reactions. When the operation is commercialised, carbon-free electricity will be generated
• Unlike fission reactors that can be located at the source of radioactive substances such as Uranium, Thorium etc, fusion reactors can be located anywhere. The other advantage of fusion reactors is that we will be free from radioactive risk.

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS

• For nearly three-quarters of a century, power has been commercially generated from fission-based power plants
• Nearly 10% of the world’s power is generated from nearly 440 reactors in 50 countries.
• India has several nuclear power plants that contribute substantially to the power grid. India’s share of power from nuclear fission reactors is 2%
• More than 30% of global nuclear power is generated in the United States
• Power generated from fission-related power plants is also carbon-free, but it carries radioactive risk. India currently generates 7500 MW of nuclear power