The goal of fusion research is to harness the energy source of the sun and stars on Earth: A fusion power plant is to generate energy from the fusion of atomic nuclei. Under terrestrial conditions, this is best achieved with the two types of hydrogen: deuterium and tritium. In fusion, two light atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus and release energy. Devices that use this process are known as fusion reactors. National Science Foundation invests in an array of projects and programs that advance fusion research and development, which are bringing society closer to conquering one of its biggest science and engineering challenges. Fusion happens naturally in trillions of stars, but the engineering challenges of recreating. . CFS Director of Tokamak Operations, Alex Creely, dives into the building blocks of fusion — what it is, how it works, how we draw power from it, and CFS' plan to make it a reality on earth.
[PDF Version]
Menu
