Post by siampolee on Apr 12, 2024 8:18:32 GMT 7
Einstein predicted a nuclear fusion engine: now they’ve just created it
Nuclear fusion has long been a sought-after but elusive goal for science. It involves joining atomic nuclei to release energy, the same process that occurs in the Sun and other stars. In fact, it’s a process similar to what we saw two weeks ago with the plasma engine.
Unlike nuclear fission used in current nuclear power plants—which, remember, we are highly critical of due to its lack of being an eco-friendly or renewable option—fusion offers the promise of a virtually inexhaustible and clean energy source.
As early as 1929, Albert Einstein had theorized about the possibility of creating a “proton engine” based on nuclear fusion, which could propel spacecraft at speeds close to the speed of light. The idea was to use the high fusion temperatures to expel a stream of protons and generate thrust.
Technology has advanced since then: a tireless evolution
Previous attempts to create a nuclear fusion engine failed due to technological limitations. However, in recent decades, there have been significant advances in several areas that now make it possible to attempt to build this revolutionary engine.
One of the main advances has been in new materials capable of withstanding the incredibly high temperatures inside a nuclear fusion reactor. Special alloys and advanced ceramics have been developed to contain the super-hot plasma necessary for fusion.
Another key factor is progress in understanding plasma physics and nuclear fusion. Scientists now have much more precise computational models to simulate and control fusion reactions. This gives them greater capacity to stabilize and sustain the necessary reactions.
Furthermore, new techniques for magnetic confinement and electric fields have been achieved to contain the hot plasma. This prevents the plasma from touching the walls of the reactor, which would cool it down and stop the reaction. The new superconducting magnets are key to this.
The first proton engine, ready to decarbonize transportation (also on Earth)
RocketStar is a startup founded in 2021 that is developing a nuclear fusion propulsion engine. Their goal is to create a revolutionary rocket engine that uses the fusion of hydrogen nuclei to generate extremely high specific impulse.
RocketStar’s design is based on proton fusion (hydrogen nuclei) through a funnel-shaped magnetic field. The protons are injected into the wide end of the funnel and then compressed as they approach the narrow end, reaching extremely high temperatures and densities.
Fusion releases large amounts of energy that is converted into a plasma jet directed outward at high speed. This provides thrust to the rocket without the need for chemical propellants. The advantage is that fusion fuel (hydrogen) is virtually inexhaustible, and in the long term, it could be used in vehicles.
As you can see, this proton engine demonstrates that when it comes to making transportation sustainable, physics and mobility can come together. They also did it with this trick to double the range of electric cars, something that now puzzles factories for one simple reason: it’s too good to be true, but thousands of drivers are already experiencing how well it works.
Nuclear fusion has long been a sought-after but elusive goal for science. It involves joining atomic nuclei to release energy, the same process that occurs in the Sun and other stars. In fact, it’s a process similar to what we saw two weeks ago with the plasma engine.
Unlike nuclear fission used in current nuclear power plants—which, remember, we are highly critical of due to its lack of being an eco-friendly or renewable option—fusion offers the promise of a virtually inexhaustible and clean energy source.
As early as 1929, Albert Einstein had theorized about the possibility of creating a “proton engine” based on nuclear fusion, which could propel spacecraft at speeds close to the speed of light. The idea was to use the high fusion temperatures to expel a stream of protons and generate thrust.
Technology has advanced since then: a tireless evolution
Previous attempts to create a nuclear fusion engine failed due to technological limitations. However, in recent decades, there have been significant advances in several areas that now make it possible to attempt to build this revolutionary engine.
One of the main advances has been in new materials capable of withstanding the incredibly high temperatures inside a nuclear fusion reactor. Special alloys and advanced ceramics have been developed to contain the super-hot plasma necessary for fusion.
Another key factor is progress in understanding plasma physics and nuclear fusion. Scientists now have much more precise computational models to simulate and control fusion reactions. This gives them greater capacity to stabilize and sustain the necessary reactions.
Furthermore, new techniques for magnetic confinement and electric fields have been achieved to contain the hot plasma. This prevents the plasma from touching the walls of the reactor, which would cool it down and stop the reaction. The new superconducting magnets are key to this.
The first proton engine, ready to decarbonize transportation (also on Earth)
RocketStar is a startup founded in 2021 that is developing a nuclear fusion propulsion engine. Their goal is to create a revolutionary rocket engine that uses the fusion of hydrogen nuclei to generate extremely high specific impulse.
RocketStar’s design is based on proton fusion (hydrogen nuclei) through a funnel-shaped magnetic field. The protons are injected into the wide end of the funnel and then compressed as they approach the narrow end, reaching extremely high temperatures and densities.
Fusion releases large amounts of energy that is converted into a plasma jet directed outward at high speed. This provides thrust to the rocket without the need for chemical propellants. The advantage is that fusion fuel (hydrogen) is virtually inexhaustible, and in the long term, it could be used in vehicles.
As you can see, this proton engine demonstrates that when it comes to making transportation sustainable, physics and mobility can come together. They also did it with this trick to double the range of electric cars, something that now puzzles factories for one simple reason: it’s too good to be true, but thousands of drivers are already experiencing how well it works.
