A fusion reactor is a device that uses nuclear fusion to generate energy. Fusion reactors are not yet in widespread use, but research is ongoing to develop this technology as a future energy source.
Nuclear fusion is the process of combining two atoms to form a new, heavier atom. This process releases energy, which can be harnessed to generate electricity or power other devices. Fusion reactors use this process to produce energy by fusing together lighter atoms, such as hydrogen.
Fusion reactors have the potential to be much cleaner and more efficient than current nuclear fission plants. Fission plants split atoms apart to generate energy, while fusion plants fuse them together. Fusion reactions produce far less radioactive waste than fission reactions, and there is no risk of a catastrophic meltdown since the reaction can be quickly shut down if necessary. In addition, fusion reactors could theoretically run on seawater, making them virtually limitless in terms of fuel availability.
Current fusion research is focused on developing magnetic confinement and inertial confinement systems. In magnetic confinement systems, like those used in ITER (the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor), powerful magnets are used to confine the plasma—a hot soup of electrons and ions—in which the fusion reaction takes place. Inertial confinement systems use lasers or particle beams to heat and compress a pellet of fuel until it ignites into a self-sustaining reaction. Both approaches have been successful in achieving controlled nuclear fusion reactions in laboratory settings, but significant challenges remain before either approach can be scaled up for commercial power generation.
Despite these challenges, many scientists believe that nuclear fusion will eventually become a viable option for generating large-scale clean energy. If successful, fusion could provide an abundant supply of safe, clean power with minimal environmental impact—a truly game-changing technology for our planet’s future