Clean Energy from nuclear fusion is our Planet’s best hope

Context–Author presents the view that although most technologies and tech products deplete our natural resources and contribute heavily to global warming and climate change. However, there is one tech that stands out and rather helps to save the planet that is – Fusion Energy. 

What is Nuclear Fusion? 

Nuclear fusion is not a new concept, scientists have known about it since Einstein’s times. It is an inexhaustible supply of energy, without pollution or global warming, and the phenomena that powers our Sun.  

How is it different from Nuclear Fission 

Fusion is not the same as fission. In fission, the nucleus of an atom splits into two or more smaller nuclei, releasing the vast amounts of energy holding them together, thus powering nuclear reactors and thermonuclear bombs. In a fusion reaction, two light nuclei merge to form a single heavier nucleus. The process releases energy because the total mass of the resulting single nucleus is less than the mass of the two original nuclei. The leftover mass becomes energy. 

 Do we have working Nuclear Fusion models? 

Physicists have since 1950s tried to generate energy through nuclear fusion but the problem is that the energy used to make this happen exceeded the energy released. Which defeats the purpose and making the process ‘hot’ and not ‘cold’ fusion. But recent attempts by both government and private sector have been encouraging and there have been definite progress if not complete success. 

If any of these attempts succeed, it will give us unlimited clean fuel to power our planet forever, much like the sun has been doing. Cold fusion energy could be our best bet against climate disaster. 

Source– This post is based on the article “Clean Energy from cold nuclear fusion is our Planet’s best hope” published in Livemint on 9 th Dec 2021.