ENSCHEDE -
The research for Superconductivity at the University of Twente has a technological breakthrough that is crucial for the success of fusion reactors. The invention relates to an ingenious and robust superconducting cable in the fusion reactor. The improvement of these superconductors will make fusion energy reliable soon. The Twente technological solution is unique in the world, the university announced on Saturday. The study is a project under the Green Energy Initiative of the University of Twente.
"The global development of nuclear fusion reactors is in progress and will get a new impulse through this breakthrough. Our new cables have been tested by two institutions , " says researcher / project leader Arend Nijhuis. China has shown interest in the technology to be used in the construction of a so-called demo - reactor. Nijhuis expects the Twente system will be a global standard.
In nuclear fusion, atomic nuclei fuse together while massive amounts of heat are released. This is used to generate energy. Nuclear fusion is a very complex process , emphasizes Nijhuis. There are very strong magnetic fields needed to keep extremely hot plasma (150 million degrees Celsius) in which fusion occurs. This is only possible with superconductors, but wear and heat gave problems over time.
"This was why there was search for solutions to withstand the extreme conditions ," said Nijhuis . Exactly that problem is now solved by the researchers acted by a clever way of interweaving of superconducting cables. The ability to drive the so-called plasma has now increased significantly .
Several countries have been doing years of research into nuclear fusion. The world's largest fusion reactor ITER is under construction in Cadarache in France, and is expected to run as a joint project of the U.S., EU , Russia , India , Japan , South Korea and China from 2020. A task force set up in 2006, part of the research group is the group of Twente ans advices ITER.
China and South Korea are now working on the successor to ITER and by mid-century will probably run the first commercial fusion reactors, expects Nijhuis . The big advantage of fusion over fission is that it is not dangerous. " When an accident happens nothing is released. The fusion process most likely stops ", says Nijhuis . " Also, there are no radioactive waste that you need to store for hundreds of years" It is a clean , inexhaustible energy production that can provide energy for millions of years.
Dutch breakthrough nuclear fusion
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