Scientists in China have made a major breakthrough that could help unlock virtually limitless clean energy through fusion.
They hope to do this by solving one of the biggest challenges facing fusion reactors, as Interesting Engineering explained. That’s the puzzle of measuring the ultra-hot plasma, which creates fusion reactions quickly and accurately in real time. Having faster data will help optimize fusion performance and maintain reactor stability.
The research team from the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science used neural networks powered by artificial intelligence. Neural networks use pattern recognition and advanced computing capabilities that allow them to quickly generate measurements, according to Interesting Engineering.
The scientists used two neural network models to measure two critical parameters of the plasma: ion temperature and rotation speed. The results were impressive and bode well for future applications to harness fusion energy.
One neural network, the Deep Neural Networks, worked “more than ten times faster than traditional methods and delivered fast results without compromising accuracy,” according to a press release about the study.
The other neural network they tested, the Convolutional Neural Networks model, “successfully predicted line-integrated rotational velocity profiles and localized radial ion temperature profiles,” the researchers said.
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“This model can be adapted to different diagnostic systems beyond current research, making it very useful for broader applications in fusion research,” they suggested.
Tapping into the power of fusion energy is a tantalizing prospect. Fusion replicates how the sun heats the Earth with incredible capabilities. It holds the promise of virtually unlimited clean energy with virtually no pollution and minimal space requirements.
Nuclear fusion would be a huge tool in the fight to move away from fossil fuels. That dirty energy is heating the planet to alarming levels while also exacerbating extreme weather events with devastating consequences.
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It’s no surprise that researchers worldwide are busy finding out more about how we can make fusion a reality.
This year, scientists in South Korea made headlines by achieving a fusion reaction that was nearly seven times hotter than the sun’s core. Researchers in Wisconsin made a breakthrough with magnets. Encouraging new applications and discoveries is happening similarly from Japan to France to San Diego.
While it remains to be seen how other researchers and scientists will leverage neural networks, this research represents an exciting advance in optimizing fusion reactors.
“This research improves the accuracy and speed of predicting ion temperature and rotational velocity profiles in fusion devices while providing adaptable, automated solutions for broader fusion applications,” the team said.
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