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Fusion energy: Progress, partnerships, and the path to deployment
Over the past decade, fusion energy has moved decisively from scientific aspiration toward a credible pathway to a new energy technology. Thanks to long-term federal support, we have significantly advanced our fundamental understanding of plasma physics—the behavior of the superheated gases at the heart of fusion devices. This knowledge will enable the creation and control of fusion fuel under conditions required for future power plants. Our progress is exemplified by breakthroughs at the National Ignition Facility and the Joint European Torus.
Masahiro Nishikawa, Takefumi Narikawa, Masatami Iwamoto, Kenji Watanabe
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 9 | Number 1 | January 1986 | Pages 101-115
Technical Paper | doi.org/10.13182/FST86-A24706
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
A study of a conceptual design for a “cassette” compact toroid reactor has been performed that emphasizes quick replacement handling. The core plasma, spheromak, is ohmically heated in a merging process between the core plasma and the gun-produced spheromak. The quick handling of replacement accomplished by using afunctional material, a shape memory alloy (SMA) joint, which is proposed for release from firstwall high neutron loading in a newly devised mechanical and structural method. The SMA joint can be used for connecting or disconnecting the coupling by simply controlling the SMA temperature without the need for a robot system. Effective heat removal from the first wall and thermal and electromagnetic stress in a fusion core with very high heat flux are discussed from an engineering standpoint.