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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.
Rio Quinn
Nuclear Science and Engineering | Volume 198 | Number 9 | September 2024 | Pages 1874-1878
Research Article | doi.org/10.1080/00295639.2023.2278931
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
This paper analyzes the design of an alpha-decay sail. While previous studies have been conducted on the feasibility of alpha-decay sails, none have investigated the effects of different backing materials and backing material thicknesses on propulsion. This paper conducts simulations using the particle simulation toolkit Geant4 to determine the thrust produced from alpha-decay sails constructed of 238Pu and a backing layer made of aluminum, beryllium, lithium, or polyethylene. The results demonstrate that alpha-decay sails can be a very useful form of in-space propulsion, having the potential to dramatically decrease travel time beyond distances of 100 AU.