High Density Fusion

Fusion power is considered by many to be the ultimate source of safe, efficient and carbon-free energy, but scientists have yet to develop a system that can produce more energy than it uses. Now Google has launched an initiative known as “Solve for X” which is aimed at solving global issues, and it’s attracted some interesting new approaches to solving the challenges of fusion power.

One such approach is called aneutronic fusion, and one of its biggest advantages is that it produces no radioactive waste. It also requires no turbines because charged ions (i.e. electricity) are the direct product of the reaction. Basically, it works by fusing hydrogen nuclei with boron-11 nuclei to briefly form an unstable carbon nucleus. This nucleus instantly breaks up to form three helium nuclei, the energy from which can be converted directly to electricity using a high tech transformer.

According to developers, supplies of hydrogen and boron needed to fuel this type of fusion are sufficient to maintain worldwide power consumption levels for millions of years at a cost ten times less than today’s prices. They are looking to government agencies to broaden funding to include alternatives such as these in their plans for long term energy independence.