Fusion Energy

Abstract

Fusion is the energy that powers the stars, including our own Sun. Deep in the mass of the stars common hydrogen is converted first to deuterium. Two nuclei of deuterium combine to form helium, while releasing a large amount of energy. Since the fusion reactions were first discovered, it was realized by the scientific community that the controlled harnessing of fusion may provide enough energy to the human society for millions of years. Fusion energy may solve the "energy problem" for humanity. Fusion energy is a panacea whose realization may not be too far in the future. Multinational research and development efforts have produced plasma confining methods, which may lead to continuous and controlled fusion during the twenty-first century. While several technological breakthroughs are still needed, enough progress has been made to elucidate the basic mechanisms of the fusion reactions and to point fusion research to the right direction. Because of fusion and its great promise, the time when the energy of the stars will be harnessed on Earth and when the produced power will be abundant and inexpensive may not be too far in the future. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2012.