Scientists Score Major Breakthrough in Harnessing Clean Energy Source
Researchers at Princeton University have utilized artificial intelligence (AI) to overcome a critical hurdle in the quest for clean, near-limitless energy – nuclear fusion.
Nuclear Fusion: The Holy Grail of Clean Energy
Nuclear fusion replicates the Sun’s energy-generating reactions, offering vast potential:
- Abundant energy production
- No reliance on fossil fuels
- No hazardous waste generation
However, harnessing this power has proven immensely difficult.
A Historic Milestone in 2022
In 2022, scientists at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory achieved the first net energy gain from nuclear fusion, a monumental step towards large-scale adoption. Although the generated energy was minimal, it was a breakthrough.
AI Steps Up: Predicting and Preventing Plasma Disasters
The latest breakthrough tackles another significant obstacle. The new AI model predicts and prevents plasma instabilities – sudden disruptions within the fusion reaction – 300 milliseconds in advance. This crucial lead time allows scientists to adjust the system and maintain control.
Potential for Grid-Scale Fusion Energy
This advancement paves the way for grid-scale implementation of nuclear fusion, according to the researchers.
Egemen Kolemen, lead researcher and physicist at Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, explains:
“By learning from past experiments, the AI can develop real-time control strategies for a stable, high-powered plasma state in a future fusion reactor, bypassing the need for traditional physics models.”
The research, published in Nature on Wednesday as ‘Avoiding fusion plasma tearing instability with deep reinforcement learning,’ offers a paradigm shift.
Co-author SanKyeun Kim adds:
“Predicting instabilities beforehand simplifies these fusion reactions compared to current, more reactive approaches. We can prevent disruptions before they even occur.”
This AI-powered solution brings us closer to the dream of clean, limitless energy through nuclear fusion.
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