Nuclear Fusion
As an Energy Source
May 6, 2016
I am Ava Wellener, a scientist at NC.Nuclear Labs, in North Carolina. Over the past few years, our lab has been working to try and use the cleaner energy of nuclear fusion to provide a usable energy source. North Carolina ranks #38 in terms of energy used per capita out of USA states (https://www.eia.gov/state/rankings/). In a country with limited energy rocketing toward a future that needs even more energy, the huge energy levels of nuclear fusion seem like a pretty good option. On May 6, 2016, we discovered a way to conveniently use nuclear fusion to power everyday things. We expect NC.Nuclear Labs to be able to integrate this into NC by 2019.
Diagram
A basic diagram of nuclear fusion.
The Sun
The sun uses nuclear fusion to get its energy.
A Graph
A graph explaining nuclear fusion.
Compared to Fission, Fusion Is...
Nuclear Fission occurs when energy is releases after an atom is split. Nuclear Fusion happened when two or more atoms are combines to release energy.
Safety and Precautions
Safety of the Environment: Doesn't produce greenhouse gases, doesn't create nuclear waste.
Unlike fission, it is not a chain reaction, so a lower risk of a "melt down."
There could be a leak of the material tritium.
However, only experienced scientists should work nuclear reactors.
Economic Impact
Fusion produces tons of energy. From "http://physics.ucsd.edu/do-the-math/2012/01/nuclear-fusion/": "On a per mass, or per nucleon basis, fusion wins hands down: one gram of deuterium results in 1012 L of energy, or 275 million kcal."Because it is cleaner, we would spend less time cleaning up the atmosphere. Relatively cheap. We wouldn't need the expenses of traditional fuel markets, like oil and other fossil fuels. Also, since it can be used all over the world, it will limit geopolitical conflicts over energy, like with oil. We can use less space for oil and use that to grow more food for the world. Overall, this would cost less than oil or other current fuels. With cheaper and more energy, we could innovate and build all kinds of technology. Wouldn't it be cool if we could go to Mars, have new cars, or build new cities because we have more energy?