Nuclear Fusion

Nuclear Fusion is, quite simply, the process of taking two lighter atomic nuclei, slamming them together, and creating a heavier atomic nucleus. This process releases vast amounts of energy, which is why it’s also known as “controlled thermonuclear fusion”. Sure, it sounds impressive, but here’s the catch: it’s pretty hard to do! Despite decades of research, we’re still not quite sure how to make it happen reliably and safely. But don’t worry, scientists have still managed to spend billions of dollars trying to make it happen! Here’s why it’s so attractive: a single teaspoon of fusion fuel (a mix of isotopes of hydrogen) contains the same energy as 28 tons of coal or 17,000 gallons of oil. Plus, it’s much cleaner to use than other energy sources. But it’s still a long way off from being a viable alternative to fossil fuels. Fun Fact: Nuclear fusion is the same process that powers stars, including our own Sun!