Nuclear fusion machine to provide unlimited energy

Mar 21, 2016

A device hailed as ‘Holy Grail' of energy could realize the dream of creating limitless supplies of power. The International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor will be the world's largest tokamak nuclear fusion reactor once it’s ready by 2020.

Engineers in France are building this massive device, which has 18 magnets that weigh as much as a Boeing 747. The devices uses plasma that is trapped inside a doughnut shaped device by electric current to create fusion reaction. If the technique is successful, it would provide an unlimited source of power and potentially solve the world's energy crisis. ITER device, also known as a tokamak, was conceived by Soviet physicists in the 1950s. 

Traditional materials like metal cannot be used, which expand and contract with temperature and conduct electricity. A special composite material that is durable and lightweight, non-conductive and never changes shape needs to be used. Nuclear engineers are taking help from rocket scientists to create strong materials that can withstand high temperatures even hotter than the sun. The team is using satellite and launcher components for constructing rings to support the powerful magnetic coils inside the machine.

The magnets are massive, the one currently being built is 45 feet long, 30 feet wide, and 3 feet deep. Iter's rings which is under construction right now will weigh 7,000 tonnes.

Source:http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3499309/