“Researchers at Princeton University have developed an AI controller that can predict plasma instabilities in a nuclear fusion reaction and adjust the plasma conditions to suit the ongoing reaction.
This innovation can make nuclear fusion more feasible and scalable than ever.
Currently, all man-made nuclear power plants produce energy via nuclear fission, a process involving the splitting of atoms and producing long-lasting radioactive waste.
To achieve a stable fusion reaction, one also needs to sustain plasma, a state of matter comprising extremely hot gases and free electrons (at temperatures reaching millions of degrees Celsius).
This ionized high-energy plasma state is necessary to facilitate the fusion of two nuclei into one.
However, at such high temperatures, anything can go wrong. Even a small change in the plasma could destabilize the reaction.
Scientists have previously tried preprogrammed controllers to maintain the plasma conditions, but those tools failed, according to the researchers.
Until now, there was no way to keep track of the plasma in real-time and keep it stable.
To solve the problem and prevent plasma instabilities, the researchers created an AI controller that utilizes data from multiple highly advanced diagnostic tools operational at DIII-D, a national fusion facility in San Diago.
“DIII-D is equipped with high-resolution real-time plasma diagnostic systems. These diagnostic tools allow for the real-time profiling of electron density, electron temperature, ion temperature, ion rotation, pressure, current density, and safety factor,” the researchers note.
The AI processes this real-time data and allows researchers to predict how the plasma will behave under different conditions. With the help of the AI, they can predict any instability 300 milliseconds before it occurs.
Meanwhile, based on the real-time information and their proposed outcomes, they can test various methods that can be used to control and stabilize the plasma by manipulating its conditions.”
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