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Could a Helium-Resistant Material Usher In an Age of Nuclear Fusion? (sciencealert.com)

Researchers working with a team at the Los Alamos National Lab tested a new way to build material for nuclear fusion reactors, "and found that it could eliminate one of the obstacles preventing humanity from harnessing the power of fusion energy." schwit1 quotes Science Alert: A collaboration of engineers and researchers has found a way to prevent helium, a byproduct of the fusion reaction, from weakening nuclear fusion reactors. The secret is in building the reactors using nanocomposite solids that create channels through which the helium can escape... Not only does the fusion process expose reactors to extreme pressure and temperatures, helium -- the byproduct of fusion between hydrogen atoms -- adds to the strain placed on reactors by bubbling out into the materials and eventually weakening them...

In a study published in the journal Science Advances, the researchers overview how they tested the behavior of helium in nanocomposite solids, materials made from thick metal layer stacks. They found that the helium didn't form bubbles in these nanocomposite solids like it did in traditionally used materials. Instead, it formed long, vein-like tunnels. "We were blown away by what we saw," said Demkowicz. "As you put more and more helium inside these nanocomposites, rather than destroying the material, the veins actually start to interconnect, resulting in kind of a vascular system."

The article points out that nuclear fusion generates four times the energy of nuclear fission.

2 of 128 comments (clear)

  1. generates four times the energy of nuclear fission by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Flamebait

    You cannot "generate" energy. Not one time, not four times.

  2. Re:So fusion power in 20 years, right? by F34nor · · Score: -1, Flamebait

    There is a great article about this somewhere. The answer is in the funding. Those numbers are based on spending that has fallen consistently over that time resulting in a constant time to finalize the project. So tax cuts for the super wealthy and fuck the sciences and basic research because they contradict the bible and climate denial. Whoooo hooo ameriKa third world shithole FOREVER!!!! YEAH!!!!