• Question: Do you really feel that nuclear fusion is a feasible energy source for the future?

    Asked by mayi001 to David on 16 Jun 2011.
    • Photo: David Armstrong

      David Armstrong answered on 16 Jun 2011:

      This is a really big question. In short yes I do. The biggest challenges at the moment are in producing advanced materials which can withstand the extreme conditions found in the reactor. There is loads of research going on into this at the moment and everyday more is being understood about the properties of the materials and which will be best to use. However a working fusion power plant will be incredibly complicated. That’s why the whole world (well nearly – Europe, USA, China, Russia, South Korea, India, and Japan) are working together to build ITER – it must be one of the biggest collaborations ever! I have written about the timescale for fusion here http://ias.im/43.354 . In the mean time I think advanced fission technologies and renewable energies, such a tidal power and solar power, are the key to a green future.

Comments