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Applications and Impacts – Popular Article – Charlotte Lister –UP681330 Is Fusion The Future? The issue of the world’s energy crisis is becoming a topic of everyday conversation, we are constantly surrounded by statements that coal and natural gas could run out in as soon as 50 years time. One possible solution to this problem is to get our energy from nuclear plants instead of the current reactors which use fossil fuels. Currently, nuclear power stations use the process of nuclear fission or induced fission; this is the process of firing neutrons at Uraniam-235 causing it to split into two lighter elements, causing a large amount of energy and high energy neutrons to be released. Compared to fossil fuels, nuclear fission produces around a million times more energy per unit weight, making it much more attractive as an alternative source of energy. However, there are some disadvantages with this process, the main disadvantage is the large amount of high level radioactive waste that is generated; on average a nuclear reactor has 20 tonnes of nuclear waste a year. As well as this, there is also alot of low level radioactive waste produced, this is made up of pieces of equipment and parts from the reactor that have become radioactive. All of the nuclear waste must be stored deep in the ground in large concrete blocks. This is a very expensive process and must be monitored as the radioactive waste takes thousands of years to decay to a safe level. Here is where the process of nuclear fusion comes in, nuclear fusion is the process that stars use to create their energy, it involved fusing together two hydrogen atoms to produce helium and a very large amount of energy. Compared to nuclear fission, the process of fusion is alot safer as ... ... middle of paper ... ...h some nano-particles suspended in it. In agreement with the previous article, this paper also agrees with the disadvantages of using water, but with the addition of nano-particles it could greatly increase the efficiency, whilst keeping all of the advantages of using water. Although, there has not been alot of research into using nano-fluids in a fusion reactor, they have already been used in fission reactors and since alot of research has been done into using them for fusion. There are no safety issues with using nano-fluids, only that they can be an irritant if they come into human contact. The scientists behind this article are currently carrying out experiments to see how suitable nano-fluids are to be used in a fusion reactor. This could be something exciting to look out for in the future, and to see what the potential possibilities could be for nano-fluids.
Radioactive Waste One of the most talked about opposition to nuclear fission is the radioactive waste it produces. Radioactive waste is what is left behind after using a reactor to make electricity. There are two levels of waste, low and high, but both are regulated by the Department of Energy and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. High level waste is made up of fuel that’s been used directly in the reactor, which is highly radioactive but can still be disposed of. Low-level waste is the contaminated items that have been exposed to radiation.
In a fusion, two atoms’ nuclei join to create a much heavier nucleus.1 The two atoms collide and together make a new atom while releasing neutrons in the form of energy. Imagine this as two cars in a head-on collision. When they collide, they stick together (not forming a new atom like in nuclear fusion, but let’s pretend,) and when they crash, some of the bumper flies off. The atoms collide and neutrons, like the bumper, fly off in the form of energy.
Nuclear energy must be a consideration for the future with the rapidly depleting supply of fossil fuels. This type of energy can be created through nuclear fission and nuclear fusion. Nuclear fission is the splitting of a heavy atom into two or more parts, releasing huge amounts of energy. The release of energy can be controlled and captured for generating electricity. Nuclear fusion involves bombarding hydrogen atoms together to form helium. In the long run, nuclear fusion has greater potential than fission.
There are many sources of energy today, and the best source of it is constantly being sought after, one source stands out above the rest. Nuclear energy is simple in theory, yet it may be one of the most controversial sources of power. Nuclear energy works using reactors built to split the atoms (nuclear fission) of the fuel to produce heat. This heat evaporates the cooling agent (usually water) into steam which turns turbines to create electricity. Nuclear energy should be allowed, because it produces an abundance of electricity, as well as being a clean source of energy with no harmful emissions. Nuclear energy is the future of clean, environmentally friendly energy.
...nce World War II to the present day, the technology of nuclear power has increased significantly in terms of energy output and safety. The energy efficiency of nuclear power is far superior to its counterpart fossil fuel and renewable energy. Compared to fossil fuels, tiny amounts of fuel used by nuclear reactors is equivalent to a large sum of coal. This is a no brainer. Why mine a ton of coal when a little uranium can be used to gain the same amount of energy? Not only is it efficient, it’s safe to use. Used fuel is packed away in storage safely, so there isn’t any chance of radiation leaking out. In the present day, nuclear power incidents haven’t been occurring lately. Advancements in technology and equipment used have made nuclear energy a very reliable and safe source of energy. With today’s energy needs, nuclear power has the ability to keep up in the race.
Fusion centers were created under President George W. Bush after the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center in New York on September 11, 2001. The objective of the fusion centers was to form a collaborative partnership between varied representatives of the local, state, and federal government along with participants of diverse disciplines according to Arena & Arrigo (2005).The mission of the members was to gather, analyze, and share critical information relating to terrorist threat that came into the fusion centers ( Carter, 2004). The centers informed law enforcement agencies of potential terrorist threats, which could significantly impact infrastructures around the world states Johnson & Dorn (2008). Currently,
Nuclear power is a growing source of energy to most of the world for many benefits. People doubt the significant of nuclear power because of one accident. Due to this accident, the world has only seen the flaws in nuclear power and not the many benefits it has to offer. Nuclear power would benefit worldwide if people would let go of the past and look towards the future. Nuclear power is a better alternative energy because of its economic and environmental benefits.
Nuclear power is generated by using electricity created during a controlled fission or fusion reaction (“Nuclear Energy.” Global Issues in Context Online Collection). Nuclear fission is a process that releases energy when a nucleus in one atom is separated into two nuclei. Nuclear fusion occurs when the nuclei of two hydrogen atoms are fused together producing a larger nuclei along with energy (“Nuclear Energy.” Opposing Viewpoints Online Collection). In the 1950s, the use of nuclear power became a realistic idea for countries with nuclear capabilities and nuclear power programs (“Nuclear Energy.” Global Issues in Context Online Collection). The international nuclear program grew rapidly and by 1999 there were 436 nuclear power plants in 32 different counties. The United States, Japan, Canada, Russia, India and France remain the largest users of nuclear energy since the 1990s; however, the dependency on nuclear power varies greatly around the world because of differences in the individual nuclear power programs availability of needed resources (“Nuclear Energy.” Opposing Viewpoints Online Collection).
Our world today is growing every day every year and there will be a time where more and more energy will be needed to sustain human life. The demand for electricity and its value is increasing rapidly and will only continue to do so. The world will need greatly increased energy supply in the next 20 years, especially clean generated electricity [WNA, 2014]. Fourteen percent of the world’s electricity comes from nuclear energy to use. The use and demand for electricity will increase in 2030 by eighty one percent. Therefore, nuclear power plants need to rise to fulfill the demands and needs for the growth of the population. Since the demand for electricity is increasing and with many resources to get electricity from, the use of nuclear energy without constant support will probably decline to around 9 percent or less by 2035. At least two factors will make this quite difficult for nuclear energy to gain a bigger m...
One of the biggest and most prevalent problems is the need for clean, renewable, sustainable energy. On the forefront of these problems comes the following solutions: nuclear energy, hydro-electric energy, and photovoltaic energy. With the need for energy in today’s current world, exploring different ways of producing power is necessary. The differences and similarities between nuclear energy and alternative energy are important to look over and examine in depth, so that it is plain to see the positive and negative effects of energy production. To begin, nuclear power is produced by nuclear fission, which is the splitting of an atom to start a chain reaction (“11 Facts”).
The Sun is the star that is closest to the Earth, and is the source of a great deal of our energy. The fusion of hydrogen ( H) and helium (He) is part of what gives the sun or any star its shine. This happens when energy is released during the reaction.
Nuclear energy has is an overall success and continues to be because it is a reliable, efficient energy source that produces minimal pollution. Although it is a efficient energy source, it is also a massive destructive force that has been used in the past and can be used in the future if not properly defended against. America today can learn from instances in the 20th century such as the atomic bomb drops, exploration of fusion reactions, the knowledge gained from the three mile island accident, and from espionage. Nuclear technology is basically that manipulation of atoms in their current state. Usually radioactive elements such as high-grade plutonium or uranium are used in order to create a massive radioactive reaction that have the potential to obliterate any object in its way leaving a lasting negative effect on the environment. Nuclear energy was mainly researched for the atomic bomb droppings that occurred in 1945 as a result of Japanese oppression during World War II. The science of atomic manipulation, atomic radiation, nuclear fission and nuclear fusion was first developed in 1895. Research began to significantly speed up when the government took a large interest in the destructive force that nuclear weapons had the potential to hold. The only reason that the world ever had the experience of nuclear energy was because of World War II and oppression. Nuclear Energy came with a price of thousands of lives, that were not rightfully taken, but without those lives lost, our world would be different today, and we continue to learn from the mistakes and from the successes that we have had with nuclear technology.
Power from nuclear fusion reactors would be a welcome achievement for the 21st century, and at the current rate of progress it seems likely that before the end of the new century energy will be available from nuclear fusion. It is estimated that it will take over a decade from the time a sustainable fusion reaction is achieved before fusion power will be available for use. But the attention being devoted to research is strong, the experiments are coming closer to fruition, and we are coming closer to having an almost limitless supply of energy.
Friction Stir Welding (FSW) is relatively new process invented at The Welding Institute (Cambridge, UK) in 1991. It involves the joining of metals without fusion or filler metals. Since FSW is essentially solid state, high quality weld is obtained, characterized with absence of solidification cracking, porosity, oxidation and other defects typical to traditional fusion welding. The peak temperature in the FSW process is generally of the order of about 80% that of the liquidus temperature of the material being welded. The joint produced in this process is asymmetric about the weld line, as the material in a highly plastic state flows differently at the two sides of the welded joint. Owing to the velocity difference between the rotating tool
Nuclear energy is generated by a process called fission. Fission occurs within the reactor of a nuclear power plant when a neutron is fired at an atom of uranium causing it to split and release subsequent neutrons.1 These are able to crash into other uranium atoms causing a chain reaction and releasing a great deal of heat energy.