·       Nuclear fusion is the process by which two light atomic nuclei combine to form a single, heavier nucleus.

·       This process releases enormous amounts of energy, similar to the energy produced by the sun and stars.

·       The fusion of hydrogen isotopes, deuterium and tritium, is of particular interest due to its potential for practical energy generation.

Advantages of Nuclear Fusion

·       Unlike fossil fuels, nuclear fusion reactions produce only small amounts of helium as by-products, with no carbon emissions.

·       Deuterium, one of the fuels used in fusion reactions, can be extracted from water, making it widely available.

·       Fusion reactions have the potential to provide a consistent and reliable source of energy, as they can continue to produce energy for longer periods compared to traditional energy sources.

Challenges

·       Fusion reactions require extremely high temperatures, typically exceeding 100 million degrees Celsius, to overcome the electrostatic repulsion between atomic nuclei.

·       During fusion reactions, high-energy neutrons are released, which can penetrate materials and cause structural damage to the reactor components.

India’s Initiatives 

·       In 2005, India joined the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) project, a global collaboration aimed at building the world’s largest tokamak reactor.

·       The Institute of Plasma Research (IPR), an autonomous institute under the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), leads India’s fusion program. The institute conducts research and development activities related to fusion energy, plasma physics, and related technologies.