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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.
Akio Sagara, Osamu Motojima
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 34 | Number 3 | November 1998 | Pages 1167-1173
Alternative and Advanced Concepts | doi.org/10.13182/FST98-A11963771
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Collaboration work based on the LHD project has made great progress in design studies on the helical reactor FFHR. The main feature of FFHR is force-free-like configuration of helical coils, which simplifies the coil supporting structure with a high magnetic field instead of high plasma beta. The other feature is the selection of molten-salt Flibe as a self-cooling tritium breeder for the main reason of inherent safety. Encouraging positive results are shown on ignition access, mechanical stress in coils supporting structures, improvement in the blanket system including materials selection and tritium recovery. Critical issues and many subjects are mentioned as future work.