US nuclear fusion lab hits 200,000 plasma ‘shots,’ a milestone powering hopes
DIII-D has made significant strides in fusion research, pushing past a theoretical plasma density limit and generating record-breaking plasma strengths.
A cornerstone of the US fusion research program, the DIII-D National Fusion Facility, has accomplished a major achievement. The nuclear fusion facility has completed its 200,000th experimental cycle.
“While completing 200,000 shots is impressive in its own right, this achievement is far more than a mere number,” said Dr Richard Buttery, Director of the DIII-D National Fusion Facility.
Nuclear fusion has long been hailed as the “holy grail” of clean energy. It is the process of nuclear fusion itself that powers the sun and stars. Unlike nuclear fission, which splits atoms and generates radioactive waste, fusion involves combining lighter atoms to form heavier ones.
During the fusion process, immense energy is released with minimal environmental impacts. It promises to offer a safe and abundant energy source, which has fueled a global race to achieve practical fusion power.
Research institutions and scientists across the globe have intensified their efforts to realize nuclear fusion energy. It is in this context that DII-D National Fusion Facility’s latest milestone of 200,000 cycles becomes remarkable.
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