portfolio 3 summary-Provide energy from fusion

Fusion is the energy source for the sun. Sun have enormous heat and gravitational pressure to compress nuclei of certain atoms into heavier nuclei, hence energy is release. When fusion occur, tiny amount of mass is lost and transformed into energy as quantified by Einstein’s famous equation, E=MC^2. Earthbound reactor cannot achieve the high pressures of the sun’s interior. But temperatures much higher than the sun’s can be created to compensate for lesser pressure. Heavier forms of hydrogen, known as deuterium can be use in nuclear fusion. Also, since water comprise of hydrogen, it is abundant enough to make deuterium supplies essentially unlimited. The challenges face by engineers is how to scale up fusion process to commercial proportion. While other approaches to fusion are being studied, the most advanced involves using magnetic forces to hold the fusion ingredients together. In order for fusion reaction work, one thing that has to consider is the materials than can withstand the assaults from product of the fusion reaction. Besides, methods also will be needed for confining the radioactivity include by neutrons as well as preventing releases of the radioactive tritium fuel. Advance superconductor magnet and vacuum is need to build full-scale fusion-generation facilities. If all this can be done, we are able to have unlimited energy.

References
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Holtkamp, N. 2007. An overview of the ITER project. Fusion Engineering and Design 82(5-14): 427-434. DOI: 10.1016/j.fusengdes.2007.03.029.
Magaud, P., G. Marbach, and I. Cook. 2004. Nuclear Fusion Reactors. Pp. 365-381 in Encyclopedia of Energy, Volume 4, ed. C.J. Cleveland. Elsevier Science: Oxford, U.K. DOI: 10.1016/B0-12-176480-X/00305-3.