Uploaded May 2021 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Scientists are about to test the fuel that will eventually power the world's largest nuclear fusion experiment, ITER. If all goes well, we'll be one step closer to the goal of generating limitless energy.
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If you’re new to the world of nuclear fusion, welcome to the decades-long waiting party. See, nuclear fission is what most of us are more familiar with: it’s when atoms are split apart to create huge amounts of energy.
But fusion is the fusing of two atoms, which releases an energy yield several times greater than fission. Almost all fusion experiments work specifically on fusing hydrogen atoms to form helium. And that’s the big dream of fusion ignition—it would produce a limitless supply of clean energy.
But as you can imagine, heating hydrogen plasmas to 150 million degrees Celsius and then compressing and confining them down into states of matter even more extreme than what’s at the center of the Sun is...kinda hard. There are private and nationally-funded facilities all over the world working toward this...and that’s where ITER comes in.
#fusion #sustainability #cleanenergy #nuclearfusion #ITER #seeker #science #elements
Read More:
Fuel for world’s largest fusion reactor ITER is set for test run
media.nature.com/original/magazine-assets/d41586-021-00408-1/d41586-021-00408-1.pdf
"In June, JET will begin fusing even quantities of tritium and deuterium, another isotope of hydrogen. It is this fuel mix that ITER will use in its attempt to create more power from a fusion reaction than is put in — something that has never before been demonstrated."
What is nuclear fusion and could it change the world?
youtu.be/HdOjOzfD5EE
"Nuclear fusion occurs at the centre of the sun but scientists hope that one day we will be able to harness this energy on Earth too."
ITER Celebrates Milestone, Still at Least a Decade Away From Fusing Atoms
spectrum.ieee.org/tech-talk/energy/nuclear/iter-fusion-reactor
"The idea for ITER was sparked back in 1985, at the Geneva Superpower Summit, where President Reagan and General Secretary Gorbachev spoke of an international collaboration to develop fusion energy."
Image credit: EUROfusion
____________________
Elements is more than just a science show. It’s your science-loving best friend, tasked with keeping you updated and interested in all the compelling, innovative, and groundbreaking science happening all around us. Join our passionate hosts as they help break down and present fascinating science, from quarks to quantum theory and beyond.
Seeker empowers the curious to understand the science shaping our world. We tell award-winning stories about the natural forces and groundbreaking innovations that impact our lives, our planet, and our universe.
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Scientists are about to test the fuel that will eventually power the world's largest nuclear fusion experiment, ITER. If all goes well, we'll be one step closer to the goal of generating limitless energy.
» Subscribe to Seeker! bit.ly/subscribeseeker
» Watch more Elements! bit.ly/ElementsPlaylist
» Visit our shop at shop.seeker.com
If you’re new to the world of nuclear fusion, welcome to the decades-long waiting party. See, nuclear fission is what most of us are more familiar with: it’s when atoms are split apart to create huge amounts of energy.
But fusion is the fusing of two atoms, which releases an energy yield several times greater than fission. Almost all fusion experiments work specifically on fusing hydrogen atoms to form helium. And that’s the big dream of fusion ignition—it would produce a limitless supply of clean energy.
But as you can imagine, heating hydrogen plasmas to 150 million degrees Celsius and then compressing and confining them down into states of matter even more extreme than what’s at the center of the Sun is...kinda hard. There are private and nationally-funded facilities all over the world working toward this...and that’s where ITER comes in.
#fusion #sustainability #cleanenergy #nuclearfusion #ITER #seeker #science #elements
Read More:
Fuel for world’s largest fusion reactor ITER is set for test run
media.nature.com/original/magazine-assets/d41586-021-00408-1/d41586-021-00408-1.pdf
"In June, JET will begin fusing even quantities of tritium and deuterium, another isotope of hydrogen. It is this fuel mix that ITER will use in its attempt to create more power from a fusion reaction than is put in — something that has never before been demonstrated."
What is nuclear fusion and could it change the world?
youtu.be/HdOjOzfD5EE
"Nuclear fusion occurs at the centre of the sun but scientists hope that one day we will be able to harness this energy on Earth too."
ITER Celebrates Milestone, Still at Least a Decade Away From Fusing Atoms
spectrum.ieee.org/tech-talk/energy/nuclear/iter-fusion-reactor
"The idea for ITER was sparked back in 1985, at the Geneva Superpower Summit, where President Reagan and General Secretary Gorbachev spoke of an international collaboration to develop fusion energy."
Image credit: EUROfusion
____________________
Elements is more than just a science show. It’s your science-loving best friend, tasked with keeping you updated and interested in all the compelling, innovative, and groundbreaking science happening all around us. Join our passionate hosts as they help break down and present fascinating science, from quarks to quantum theory and beyond.
Seeker empowers the curious to understand the science shaping our world. We tell award-winning stories about the natural forces and groundbreaking innovations that impact our lives, our planet, and our universe.
Visit the Seeker website seeker.com/videos
Elements on Facebook facebook.com/SeekerElements
Subscribe now! youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=dnewschannel
Seeker on Twitter twitter.com/seeker
Seeker on Facebook facebook.com/SeekerMedia
Seeker seeker.com
