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WHAM breaks magnetic field record in nuclear fusion experiment
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WHAM breaks magnetic field record in nuclear fusion experiment

Researchers involved in the Wisconsin HTS Asymmetric Mirror (WHAM) experiment have taken a major step toward realizing clean, carbon-free nuclear fusion energy.

The WHAM team, led by Cary Forest, a professor of physics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, generated plasma using the strongest stable magnetic field ever applied in such a device.

On July 15, 2024, the team formed and contained a plasma with a magnetic field strength of 17 Tesla using high-temperature superconductor (HTS) magnets. This magnetic field strength is more than twice as powerful as those used in high-resolution MRI scanners, setting a new world record for magnetically confined plasmas.

“The first plasma is a crucial first step for us in that direction,” Forest explains, emphasizing the significance of the development for achieving viable fusion energy.

The team’s achievement is the result of a four-year collaboration between Realta Fusion, a spin-off from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, MIT and Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS), with support from the U.S. Department of Energy.

Revitalizing the magnetic mirror

The magnetic mirror concept, a method of confining charged particles, was a leading approach to fusion energy in the US until the 1980s, when limitations in existing technology hampered control over magnetically confined plasma.

Magnetic mirrors create a “magnetic bottle” to trap energetic plasma. The WHAM experiment has revived this concept thanks to advances in superconductor technology, particularly the development of HTS magnets.

The WHAM device uses two powerful magnets at either end of a cylindrical chamber. These magnets compress the plasma and cause hydrogen ions to bounce back and forth, increasing the likelihood of fusion reactions when the ions collide.

“It sets a world record in magnetic field strength for magnetically confined plasmas and is equipped with intense heating systems, while still being a hands-on experiment for both graduate and undergraduate students,” said Dr. Jay Anderson, co-founder of Realta Fusion and a scientist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Stimulating innovation

WHAM’s success could pave the way for more compact and potentially cheaper fusion systems. The experiment now operates as a public-private partnership between UW-Madison and Realta Fusion, the company formed to commercialize mirror fusion.

“Today’s demonstration puts the compact magnetic mirror firmly back in the race for commercial fusion energy,” Kieran Furlong, CEO of Realta Fusion, said in a statement. “It’s a giant leap forward for a concept that promises economically viable, carbon-free heat and electricity.”

Realta Fusion is one of eight companies selected for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Milestone Funding Program, which aims to accelerate the development of commercial fusion power, similar to NASA’s approach to encouraging private space exploration.

The company has ambitious plans for the future, including the development of two demonstration reactors. The first, called Anvil, will build on the WHAM design to provide further data and materials testing capabilities. The second, called Hammer, will feature an evolved multi-magnet design, potentially allowing for longer, higher-power reactors.

The WHAM team will now focus on addressing key challenges in plasma stability, confinement, and overall efficiency. Their findings will be crucial in determining the viability of magnetic mirror fusion as a practical energy source.

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ABOUT THE EDITORS

Amal Jos Chacko Amal writes code on a typical workday and dreams of taking pictures of cool buildings and reading a book by the fire. He loves all things technology, consumer electronics, photography, cars, chess, football and F1.