fusion power plant
A fusion power plant generates energy by mimicking the sun's process of nuclear fusion, where lightweight atomic nuclei combine to form heavier nuclei, releasing vast amounts of energy. In these plants, isotopes of hydrogen, like deuterium and tritium, are heated to extreme temperatures, allowing them to collide and fuse. The energy produced is used to heat water and produce steam, which drives turbines to generate electricity. Fusion is appealing because it produces minimal radioactive waste and has virtually limitless fuel sources, but achieving and maintaining the required conditions remains a significant scientific and engineering challenge.
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A fusion power plant generates energy by combining light atomic nuclei, such as hydrogen isotopes, to form heavier ones, like helium. This process, similar to how the sun produces energy, releases a significant amount of heat, which can be used to generate electricity. Fusion offers several advantages over traditional nuclear fission, including a nearly limitless fuel supply, reduced radioactive waste, and enhanced safety, as it cannot sustain a runaway reaction. Researchers are actively exploring ways to achieve practical fusion energy, which could provide a cleaner and more sustainable energy source for the future.