Oak Ridge National Laboratory has been selected to direct the construction of the biggest international science experiment of its kind
Six countries and the European Union concluded an agreement earlier this month to build a nuclear fusion reactor in rural France. They aim to see if it’s possible to simulate the conditions of the sun in order to create sustained energy.
Most nuclear reactors that generate power today split molecules apart but fusion rams molecules together. The reaction takes place under intensely high temperatures, resulting in byproducts of energy and helium.
Originally from Germany, Oak Ridge Scientist Norbert Holtkamp will oversee the project. He says beyond the scientific challenges, are the human ones.
“There are seven cultures that have to be put together under one roof and seven different ways of doing things, seven different ways of doing science, and seven different ways of building stuff. It will be difficult, but exciting. ”
Holtkamp expects actual construction won’t begin for at least another year and a half. The US congress authorized the project in last summer’s energy bill, but the other six signatories: Russia, Japan, Korea, the European Union, India, and China still have ratify the agreement. Each entity will contribute money or in-kind donations to the project.
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