A small diamond defect can prevent fusion breakthroughs

Each part of the fusion reactor is designed to achieve maximum efficiency. Well, in theory, at least. In fact, the materials that were chosen to bring us closer do not always lead as expected, which leads to this Structural defects that hinder fusion reactions.

Diamond capsules are not safely used to store hydrogen fuel, but a new study provides some guidance for researchers who hope to treat these shortcomings. In a conversation topic Physical scientists describe how extreme pressures of fusion experiences put flaws in the diamond capsule, which ultimately leads to experience itself.

“These defects can be disrupted by the consistency of the explosion, which in turn can reduce the energy crop or even prevent ignition,” the researchers explained in A. statement. Consider the cost of each experimental process and takes a long timeThey added that the close attention to understanding and improving diamond capsules can greatly benefit from fusion projects.

In theory, nuclear fusion is an alternative to energy that combines two lightweight atoms to generate huge amounts of energy. Unlike nuclear fission, which is divided into heavy atoms of energy production, the fusion does not leave harmful waste. But for many reasons – including the person who was presented here –The wide -ranging use of integration technology is still far from arrival. Nuclear reactors today work to fission.

Wait there, diamond

Large facilities such as the National ignition facility of the National Laboratory in Lawrence Livermore (NIF) uses diamond capsules to attach dotirium and miterium, and hydrogen isotopes used in fusion reactions. In NIF, strong laser rays are pressed on these capsules to severe pressure. Ideally, this leads to a similar collapse-the system and the system in itself-the creation of a high-pressure and high temperature environment that should stimulate nuclear fusion.

But Diamond is a “fragile material by its nature”, according to the paper, which makes it difficult to study how its structure responds to severe conditions. In this way, the researchers conducted an experience in which they were exposed to diamonds to the continuous shock of each nano or so, as they recorded whether a certain amount of force affects the structure of the diamond crystal and how.

They found that the defects arose at the pressure of about 115 GB (for the context, and the pressure in the atmosphere measures about 1000 hectops; 1 GB equivalent to 10 million hectops). These ranged from “microscopic Crystal distortions to narrow areas of complete disorder, or fading,” according to researchers. It goes without saying that this is not good news for scientists trying to build safe nuclear fusion reactors.

To be clear, this paper does not provide any easy solutions. If there is anything, it may add to a non -comprehensive list of problems that researchers must solve before using fusion to provide the world with abundant amounts of energy. This fusion may lead to another decade in the future, but as long as scientists are difficult for them to achieve their goal in providing safe and clean energy, it is worth the additional time.

Correction: I noticed this article by mistake that 1 Hectopascal equals 10 million bodies. You should have said that 1 GGACAL is equivalent to 10 million hectops.