Levitated Dipole Experiment
In an attempt to lessen emissions scientists around the world are sourcing new means of energy harvesting. One such means is through the use of Fusion(the fusing of two atoms). While fusion is proving to be more complicated than originally thought scientists have got means to utilise it…
While nuclear reactors use fission(the breaking apart of atoms) to generate the electricity we require and coal power stations burn coal in order to do this the envisioned nuclear fusion power station will use constructive means to generate our electricity. The challenge, however, is to create a dense enough plasma(ionised gas) to fuel the process.
This is where the Levitated Dipole Experiment(LDX) comes in. This joint experiment between M.I.T. and Columbia University in the U.S.A. aims at creating a second generation plasma generator. It is essentially different to the tokamaks in the way it encapsulates the plasma. The tokamaks forms the plasma and uses a magnet to store it within. The LDX does the opposite. It uses the magnet to capture the plasma around it much the same way a planet,such as Earth, captures ions in it’s magnetosphere. The study of satellites passing through Earth’s magnetosphere formed the basis of this experiment.
With all the many attempts in plasma harnessing we can look forward to seeing fusion plants in the near future. This means less nuclear waste and zero CO2 emissions. The most important element one should take from fusion plants is not so much the environmental benefits but rather the concept of creation to acquire energy as opposed to destruction. A lesson all of humanity can learn from…
