World’s largest fusion experiment back in operation

[OKIsItJustMe]

http://www.jet.efda.org/jet/news/2011/09/worlds-largest-fusion-experiment-back-in-operation/

World’s largest fusion experiment back in operation

Added September 2nd, 2011 in All News

After an 18-month shutdown to upgrade the machine and four months of commissioning, the Joint European Torus (JET), the world’s largest magnetic fusion device, is ready to start new experiments. The inside of the vessel now has a completely new wall. JET is the first fusion machine to test the materials that will be used inside the next-generation international experiment, ITER.

Today scientists from throughout Europe start the first experimental campaign at JET after the installation of the “ITER-Like Wall”. The upgrade comprises new materials inside the JET vessel, more heating power and additional diagnostic systems.

…

EFDA Leader Francesco Romanelli commented: “This is probably the largest effort that has been put into JET apart from the construction of the machine itself. With the expertise and contribution of many fusion laboratories, the JET team has succeeded in building a small ITER. We had a very good start with high purity plasmas readily established in ITER relevant conditions – a promising sign for the use of these wall materials in ITER.”

The inside of the JET vessel is now made of beryllium and tungsten tiles forming an ‘ITER-Like Wall’. Between October 2009 and May 2011 engineers from Culham Centre for Fusion Energy removed and replaced approximately 86,000 components, largely using remote handling technology.

…

[Gregorian]

1. I know an engineer who used to work on the fusion research at Lawrence Livermore labs.

This was back during Reagan's era. He said, just before funding was cut, that they were only a few million bucks away from having it running.

I have one of their huge laser focusing tables in my shop, as a welding table.

Fusion sure seems to have been off the radar screen for a long time. Maybe I just haven't been paying attention. But it's good to seee it in the news again.

[Yo_Mama]

2. Well, I know a physicist who was working on it too,

And he doubts they'll ever get it working, and I'm going to send him this link so he can have a big belly laugh.

I'm not saying we shouldn't do research, but don't hold your breath.

[OKIsItJustMe]

3. Not JET or ITER but…

http://cosmiclog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/05/10/6619613-fusion-goes-forward-from-the-fringe

[Gregorian]

4. Haha. I'm not naming names, but he is a Republican.

Wink, wink. Nod, nod. Say no more. :)

[PamW]

5. They cut the magnetic fusion at Livermore - but NOT the laser fusion

This was back during Reagan's era. He said, just before funding was cut, that they were only a few million bucks away from having it running.

I have one of their huge laser focusing tables in my shop, as a welding table.
=====================================

Back in the '80s, the Congress cut the funding for Livermore's magnetic fusion machine,
called Mirror Fusion Test Facility:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/llnl/5795112854/in/set-72157626754270259

You can see where one of the two mirror magnets goes in this graphic:

h-ttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:MFTF_1.jpg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mirror_Fusion_Test_Facility

Although MFTF-B was dedicated and mothballed ( now dismantled ) on the same
day, Lawrence Livermore's Inertial Confinement Fusion or laser fusion programs
has been going strong having built / operated the Nova laser:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/llnl/sets/72157625598298158/

and has recently finished and brought online the new National Ignition Facility:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/llnl/sets/72157607099824019/

https://lasers.llnl.gov/

The NIF should be "knocking on the door" to a world of virtually limitless,
and clean energy.

PamW