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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.
Forbes R. Powell
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 45 | Number 2 | March 2004 | Pages 197-201
Technical Paper | Target Fabrication | doi.org/10.13182/FST04-A449
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
This paper discusses some recent contributions to the use of polyimide in the fabrication of targets for Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) and Inertial Fusion Energy (IFE). Polyimide has many desirable properties, including much higher strength and the ability to withstand much higher temperatures than similar polymer films. Recent research efforts have focused on the use of polyimide in a number of applications including gasbag targets, hohlraum windows, spherical target capsules, anti-convection baffles and various shaped membranes such as target capsule supports and cylindrical z-pinch targets where polyimide's advantages contribute to superior target performance. Also covered are the fabrication of thick-wall target capsules and the potential production of thin-wall spherical capsules by a fully automated process.