French scientists have finally received one of their latest and most powerful tools in the effort to create nuclear fusion – a massive magnet. Researchers at the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) have debuted the first part of the magnet after they received it from its maker, as per The Associated Press.
When fully assembled, the magnet stands 60 feet tall and 14 feet in diameter; it’s also powerful enough to lift an aircraft carrier. The magnet is actually called a “central solenoid.” It’ll serve as a superconductor to achieve huge amounts of heat and pressure required to produce nuclear fusion.
El-dorado for scientists
The solenoid is capable of generating a magnetic field roughly 280,000 times stronger than Earth’s magnetic field, according to New Scientist. “Each completion of a major first-of-a-kind component — such as the central solenoid’s first module — increases our confidence that we can complete the complex engineering of the full machine,” said Laban Coblentz, spokesperson for ITER.
Nuclear fusion has been something scientists have been trying to achieve for years. Though it promises clean energy that’ll reduce greenhouse gas emissions, it is very difficult to achieve, and researchers haven’t produced a reactor that produces more energy than it consumes.
However, the ITER fusion reactor is said to be one of the largest reactors out there and many believe it’s one of the more promising efforts aligning with the goal of achieving nuclear fusion.
New way to produce clean energy
The ITER fusion reactor will pave the way for a new form of energy production. Besides, using a new method, there won’t be the risk of a nuclear meltdown. Steam will be generated inside the massive chambers during the reaction, which will drive the huge turbines to produce energy.
The solenoid will trap hot and pressurized plasma at its core, which will then allow the plasma to flow around a big ring structure. Whether ITER is able to produce a net gain in energy remains to be seen. Engineers envision achieving “First Plasma” by late 2025. And, a decade later, the full-power operation will kickoff.
