In a groundbreaking initiative, Spain is set to develop its own nuclear fusion reactor within the next decade. Researchers from Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) are collaborating with the University of Seville on a unique fusion device known as the SMART project (SMall Aspect Ratio Tokamak). This innovative reactor seeks to harness controlled nuclear fusion, a potential game-changer in sustainable energy solutions.
The SMART reactor will explore two distinct technologies, utilizing a spherical tokamak design that investigates both positive and negative triangular plasma scenarios. Manuel García-Muñoz, a professor at the University of Seville, emphasized that the negative triangularity configuration could significantly enhance performance by mitigating instabilities that threaten reactor integrity.
According to PPPL researchers, the SMART project marks the first time a spherical tokamak will investigate the advantages of negative triangularity. This design choice is strategic; the spherical shape is expected to improve plasma confinement and facilitate better energy management. "This is a potential game changer with attractive fusion performance and energy handling for future compact fusion reactors," stated García-Muñoz. He noted that negative triangularity results in lower plasma fluctuations and a larger area for heat dissipation.
The SMART project represents a departure from traditional fusion experiments, with its innovative tokamak structure poised to suppress plasma instabilities that can lead to energy loss and damage to reactor walls. As the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory highlighted, the shape of the reactor is crucial for effective confinement, contrasting with other tokamaks.
The next phase of the project involves developing diagnostic methods to monitor plasma conditions. Researchers at Princeton are designing Thomson scattering diagnostics to measure electron temperature and density during fusion reactions, complemented by advanced techniques from the University of Seville that assess ion temperature, rotation, and density, as well as multi-energy soft X-ray diagnostics.
Currently, nuclear fusion reactors are still in the experimental stage, with significant advancements made in projects like ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor), which heats deuterium and tritium to over 100 million degrees Celsius. However, a sustainable fusion reactor that produces more energy than it consumes remains elusive.
The SMART project is primarily composed of young students from the University of Seville, who have already conducted preliminary tests. They anticipate undertaking advanced tokamak testing by the end of 2024, potentially paving the way for a new era in energy generation.