Nuclear Fusion

Nuclear Fusion is a form of energy created by the fusion of atomic nuclei. If this could be harnessed in the future, it could provide us with nearly unlimited energy.

Basic Concept
Nuclear Fusion is the way stars create light and heat, and can be sustained for an incredibly long period of time. It is caused when two isotopes of hydrogen (Tritium and deuterium) collide and combine under extremely high temperatures. The nuclei form an unstable isotope of helium, before the extra neutron breaks free, creating standard helium. The process releases massive amounts of energy. However, a way to sustain temperatures high enough for this to occur has not yet been discovered.



Hurdles
To achieve Nulcear Fusion, the reactor would have to synthesize heat that can only be found in stars, or find an alternative way to energize the atoms enough to cause themto fuse. There is talk of using electromagnetic fields, or other means, but presently, achieving this is out of our reach.

Nuclear Fission
The virtual opposite of Fusion, Nuclear fission is a form of energy created when an atom's nucleus is "split" When a Uranium atom is bombarded with neutrons, it breaks and releases a large amount of heat energy. The heat energy turns water to steam, running a turbine. If Nuclear Fusion were achieved, the reactor will most likely work similarly.