Archive for the ‘Energy’ category

World’s largest and highest energy laser, the National Ignition Facility (NIF),  will begin experiments in 2010 that will focus the energy of 192 giant laser beams on a BB-sized target filled with hydrogen fuel. NIF’s goal is to fuse the hydrogen atoms nuclei and produce net energy gain;  the fusion energy process that makes the stars shine. Read the rest of this entry »

Researchers from U.S. Navy’s Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center have reported new scientific evidence for the existence of low energy nuclear reactions (LENR), the process called “cold fusion” that may promise a new source of energy.

The scientists describe the first clear visual evidence that LENR devices can produce neutrons, tale signs that nuclear reactions are occurring. Low-energy nuclear reactions could potentially provide 21st Century society a limitless, safe, cheap and clean energy source for generating electricity. 
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Physicists at The University of Texas, Austin, have designed a new system that would use fusion to eliminate most of the transuranic waste produced by nuclear fission plants. The invention would combat global warming by turning nuclear power mostly clean and thus a more viable replacement of carbon-heavy energy sources, such as oil or gas. Read the rest of this entry »

An MIT and Columbia University team has successfully tested a novel reactor that could chart a new path toward nuclear fusion, which could become a safe, reliable and nearly limitless source of energy.

The Levitated Dipole Experiment, or LDX, uses a unique configuration where its main magnet is suspended, or levitated, by another magnet above.
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Airbus has successfully tested a fuel cells system in flight. For the first time on a civil aircraft this innovative energy source powered the aircraft’s back-up hydraulic and electric power systems.

The test conducted in February is part of Airbus’ overall plans for an eco-efficient aviation industry. It supports the on-going research to evaluate the potential use and environmental benefits of fuel cell technology and zero emissions power generation in civil aviation.
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New discoveries about magnetic field lines and the first-ever direct observation of their reconnection in space are offering hope that scientists will learn how to unlock fusion power as an energy source in the future.

Nuclear fusion is a reaction between two nuclei that combine together to form a heavier nuclei. The sun shines thanks to fusion reactions that turn hydrogen nuclei into helium. Nuclear fusion is someway the opposite of current nuclear energy source used, based in fission of nuclei.
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