Providing Energy from Fusion: One of the Grand Engineering Challenges of 21th Century

Providing energy from fusion

Fusion is one of the alternative energy sources that will challenge engineers in the future. Fusion is the energy source for the sun[1]. The fuel for fusion reactions is readily available. Deuterium and tritium are virtually inexhaustible.

Unlike the burning of coal or other fossil fuels, fusion does not emit harmful toxins into the atmosphere.

 

Although the fuel for fusion reactions is ready now scientists have not yet been able to contain a fusion reaction long enough for there to be a net energy gain [2].

The basic fusion fuels which deuterium and tritium are extracted and generated are water and lithium 70% of the earth’s surface by water. There is enough deuterium for millions of years. [3]

Conclusion

With the facts provided it can be clearly seen that fusion energy is the way forward and it is only a matter of time before more people realise that.

References

[1]http://www.engineeringchallenges.org/cms/challenges.aspx

[2]http://library.thinkquest.org/20331/types/fusion/advant.html

[3]http://fusionforenergy.europa.eu/