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UNSW AtomCraft
editAtomCraft is a student-led and and faculty-backed project with the University of New South Wales (UNSW) which aims to design, build and operate a nuclear fusion device. The project intends to support research and development for various fusion companies, along with training students to be proficient in the design and operation of nuclear fusion devices.
Origin
edit
AtomCraft is a Vertically Integrated Project (VIP) within UNSW, allowing students to engage in a year-long practical project while contributing to their credit requirements.:[1]
AtomCraft was proposed as part of Harvey Ling's Engineering Honours' thesis, which outlined the disconnect between the rapidly growing need for fusion-trained engineers (primarily a result of a large number of start-ups and companies being established in the fusion space) and the lack of graduates with experience in designing and operating fusion devices.
A further part of Ling's thesis outlined a viable way to transform the life-cycle development of a tokamak into a Vertically Integrated Project.
Work on the AtomCraft project officially began in February 2024, and the first iteration is expected to be complete in late 2027.
The Team
editThe team primarily consists of later-year undergraduate students from various STEM disciplines, such as Physics, Engineering and Computer Science. The core team is supported by postgraduates, academics and industry representatives who provide mentorship and general guidance in both technical and non-technical matters.[2]
Nuclear Fusion
editNuclear fusion is a process where two atomic nuclei combine to form a single heavier nucleus, releasing a massive amount of energy in the process.
The process of fusion is constantly occurring in stars, which is radiated into space as light and heat. The extremely high temperatures and pressures inside stars allow nuclei to overcome the electrostatic repulsion between one another and initiate the fusion process.[3]
Nuclear Fusion on Earth
editScientists hope to replicate the process of nuclear fusion on Earth and harness the energy released as a sustainable and clean energy source. However, while significant process has been made over decades of work, this has proven to be a scientific and engineering challenge.
The most common type of nuclear fusion device built on Earth is a tokamak. A tokamak uses a combination of toroidal and poloidal magnetic fields to confine plasma in a toroidally-shaped (donut-shaped) chamber.
It works as such[4]:
- A gas is injected into the tokamak's vacuum chamber.
- A powerful electric current induced in the plasma heats it to millions of degrees Celsius.
- Powerful magnets are used to control the plasma, ensuring it does not touch the walls of the vessel.
- Due to the immense temperature and pressure, nuclei overcome the electrostatic repulsion and collide, initiating the process of fusion.
However, there scientific and engineering challenges[5]
- It is difficult to maintain the extreme temperatures and pressures required for fusion.
- It is critical to confine and shape the plasma using magnetic fields, but this also poses certain challenges.
- Initiating and maintaining fusion reactions currently requires extremely high energy inputs.
- ^ "Australian uni students pursue the holy grail of energy generation — a fusion reactor". ABC News. 2024-06-07. Retrieved 2024-11-10.
- ^ "About Us". Atomcraft. Retrieved 2024-11-10.
- ^ "What is Nuclear Fusion?". www.iaea.org. 2023-08-03. Retrieved 2024-11-10.
- ^ admin (2023-06-16). "What is a tokamak?". ITER - the way to new energy. Retrieved 2024-11-10.
- ^ "What is Fusion, and Why Is It So Difficult to Achieve?". www.iaea.org. 2021-05-07. Retrieved 2024-11-10.
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