The future for fusion

Abstract

Fusion power has long been recognized as a clean source of energy. Unfortunately, after over 50 years of research, scientists don't expect a demonstration of full-scale fusion power generation in a prototype power plant until after 30 to 35 years. Extensive research, however, has made two significant advances in plasma physics, the discovery of bootstrap current and plasma's ability to organize itself in the edge at certain a pressure so that it is a much better insulator and retains heat much better. These advances have been very helpful in the development of the experimental fusion reactor ITER.