Lithium-augmented reactor walls may enhance nuclear fusion, researchers in the US propose.
In the realm of nuclear fusion, lithium has emerged as a key player in enhancing reactor performance. Its application in tokamaks, particularly in the National Spherical Torus Experiment-Upgrade (NSTX-U), has shown promising results.
Researchers have discovered that lithium coatings on tokamak walls impact the amount of fusion fuel, especially tritium, retained within the reactor. By enhancing fuel absorption and enabling plasma stability, lithium walls help improve confinement, a crucial aspect for efficient tokamak performance.
However, injecting lithium powder during operation results in more fuel being trapped compared to pre-coating the walls. This is due to the co-deposition process, where fuel particles stick to lithium deposited on the walls during the plasma shot. In contrast, increasing the thickness of a lithium pre-coating does not significantly alter the amount of fuel trapped.
This behaviour is significant, as tritium, a radioactive fusion fuel, can become sequestered in wall materials, reducing its availability and complicating safety and fuel recycling efforts. However, managing fuel retention remains a balance between operational modes of lithium application and plasma-wall interactions.
Lithium's role in stabilizing plasma and promoting better confinement supports higher power densities and more compact tokamak designs. The development of a plan includes a potential lithium injector and liquid lithium plasma-facing components in PPPL's NSTX-U.
Meanwhile, the US is also working on a tokamak based on NSTX-U's design, called the Spherical Tokamak Advanced Reactor (STAR). Researchers continue to explore ways to mitigate the potential issues associated with lithium's fuel trapping capabilities.
As the world of fusion research continues to evolve, understanding the intricacies of lithium's influence on fusion performance and fuel retention is paramount. This knowledge will guide safer and more sustainable fuel management strategies in fusion reactors.
On a separate note, advancements are being made in various other fields. A world-largest sodium-ion phosphate battery system has been launched, reducing auxiliary power use by 90%. A new research study has improved strength prediction in 3D printing, while a new catalyst has smashed solar fuel records.
In the automotive industry, China's automaker has announced plans to introduce solid-state battery EVs by 2026 and restructure its brand. Elsewhere, a jury has awarded Tesla a $243M verdict in a fatal Autopilot crash and data dispute.
And in a fascinating discovery, peacocks have been found to be capable of shooting yellow-green lasers from their tail feathers. In the military sphere, the US has deployed nuclear submarines to critical areas due to perceived provocations from Russia.
Lastly, China's new humanoid robot has demonstrated muscles, dance moves, and multitasking capabilities. Lithium, in its molten state, can also create a self-repairing layer over the inner components of a fusion vessel, helping to shield them from the plasma's intense heat.
- The development of a lithium injector and liquid lithium plasma-facing components in the NSTX-U, a tokamak design, signifies the integration of lithium in the aerospace industry and the science of nuclear fusion, seeking to enhance reactor performance.
- In the finance sector, investment in science and energy research, such as the world-largest sodium-ion phosphate battery system, promises to reduce energy consumption and promote sustainable industry practices.
- Furthermore, lithium, which demonstrates unique properties in its molten state, not only assists in stabilizing plasma and improving fusion performance but also exhibits self-repairing capabilities, potentially revolutionizing energy storage in the science and aerospace industries.
