Superconducting Magnets: Technology in Limitless Fusion Energy
Fusion energy is an exciting possibility for sustainable energy production, and several breakthroughs have already been made in this field, including the first experiment in which more nuclear energy was produced than was required. However, feasible implementation of nuclear fusion power plants is far from ready at the moment due to the high costs and burdensome technology associated with it. In order to advance the current state of nuclear fusion technology, the infrastructure and technology must likewise evolve to more efficiently streamline this process. Recently, researchers from MIT’s Plasma Science and Fusion Center (PSFC) in collaboration with Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS) published their report on just this.
MIT’s Plasma Science and Fusion Center (MIT)
A key component of the technology enabling this type of nuclear fusion processes are superconducting magnets. Previously existing ones were impractically oversized and expensive, making them infeasible for actual implementation. Yet, in their new report, the researchers detailed a superconducting magnet named SPARC that was much smaller and practical for implementation. According to Dennis Whyte, the former director of the PSFC, “overnight, it basically changed the cost per watt of a fusion reactor by a factor of almost 40 in one day.” So, what made their new design so powerful?
SPARC (Wikipedia)
By omitting the conventionally-used insulation around superconducting materials, the researchers were able to create a system based on lesser voltage, streamlined processes, and greater space for other materials. However, many suspected that it was more risky and prone to damage. To their surprise, however, the initial test demonstrated that the SPARC technology not only worked but was efficient and durable, withstanding even extreme scenarios such as “quenching” (loss of incoming power causing overheating).
The cooperation between PSFC and CFS to produce the SPARC technology brought significant advancements to nuclear fusion generation. As other scientists continue to develop this field, the SPARC technology has provided the next generation of fusion generation devices with a proper foundation grounded in efficiency and practicality to eventually achieve limitless fusion energy production. For a more in-depth presentation from PSFC’s team, check out the video below.
