Fusion has the potential to be an effective clean energy source, as its reactions generate incredibly large amounts of energy. Fusion reactors aim to reproduce on earth what happens in the core of the sun, where very light elements merge and release energy in the process. Engineers can harness this energy to heat water and generate electricity through a steam turbine, but the path to fusion isn’t completely straightforward.
Fusion takes place at incredibly high temperatures. So to one day make fusion a feasible energy source, reactors will need to be built with materials that can survive the heat and radiation generated by fusion reactions.
Research Assistant Professor of Nuclear Engineering Sophie Blondel studies materials that scientists could use in fusion reactors. In a recently published article, she explains the nuclear fusion process and her findings of how materials and their properties change when they are exposed to extreme heat and lots of particle radiation. Read more at The Conversation.
UT is a member of The Conversation, an independent source for news articles and informed analysis written by the academic community and edited by journalists for the general public. Through this partnership, we seek to provide a better understanding of the important work of our researchers. Read more of our articles published by The Conversation on the UT news site.
—
MEDIA CONTACT:
Cindi King (865-974-0937, cking126@utk.edu)