logo
World's largest fusion project reaches major milestone with India's help

World's largest fusion project reaches major milestone with India's help

Time of India30-04-2025

New Delhi: In a major milestone, scientists working on the world's largest
nuclear fusion
project have completed its main magnet system with India playing a key role in building critical infrastructure. This system will power the core of
ITER
's Tokamak reactor, which aims to demonstrate that fusion, the energy source of the sun and stars, can be used as a safe and carbon-free power source on Earth.
Unlike nuclear fission, which splits atoms and produces radioactive waste, fusion involves heating hydrogen gas to extremely high temperatures until the atoms fuse, releasing large amounts of energy sans nuclear waste.
India is among the seven main members of the project and has played a key role in building some of its most critical infrastructure, including the massive cryostat cooling systems and heating technologies.
The final part of the magnet system was the sixth module of the Central Solenoid, the main magnet that will drive plasma, the superhot gas in which fusion reactions take place, in the reactor.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Google Brain Co-Founder Andrew Ng, Recommends: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Around
Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List
Undo
Built and tested in the United States, this powerful magnet will soon be assembled at the ITER site in southern France. When complete, it will be strong enough to lift an aircraft carrier and form the electromagnetic heart of the doughnut-shaped fusion machine.
ITER, which stands for International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor, is a joint scientific effort of more than 30 countries, including India, China, the US, Russia, Japan, South Korea and members of the European Union.
The goal is to prove that
fusion energy
can be produced at an industrial scale.
The magnet system just completed is critical to creating and controlling the ultra-hot plasma inside the reactor. At full power, ITER is expected to produce 500 megawatts of energy from just 50 megawatts of input.
This would make the plasma self-sustaining, a state known as "burning plasma", which scientists see as key to unlocking fusion energy.
India has designed and manufactured the cryostat, an enormous 30-metre tall and 30-metre wide chamber that houses the entire ITER Tokamak.
India has also built the cryolines that carry liquid helium to cool the magnets to minus 269 degrees Celsius, the temperature needed for superconductivity.
It has also delivered the reactor's in-wall shielding, cooling water systems and key parts of the heating systems that will raise the temperature of the plasma to over 150 million degrees Celsius, 10 times hotter than the Sun's core.
Scientists say that if successful, fusion could offer the world a nearly limitless and
clean energy source
without the long-lived radioactive waste or carbon emissions of current technologies.
Thousands of scientists and engineers from member countries have contributed components from hundreds of factories on three continents to build a single machine.
ITER director-general Pietro Barabaschi said, "What makes ITER unique is not only its technical complexity but the framework of international cooperation that has sustained it through changing political landscapes."
"This achievement proves that when humanity is faced with existential challenges like climate change and energy security, we can overcome national differences to advance solutions.
"The ITER Project is the embodiment of hope. With ITER, we show that a sustainable energy future and a peaceful path forward are possible," he said.
With more than 10,000 tonnes of superconducting magnets, made from over 1,00,000 kilometres of special wire, ITER represents a global effort to push the boundaries of science and energy technology.
In 2025, ITER completed the insertion of the first vacuum vessel module into the reactor pit three weeks ahead of schedule. The rest of the components, contributed by different countries, are being assembled piece by piece in what is described as one of the most complex engineering projects ever attempted.
Private companies are also getting involved. In recent years, there has been a growing interest and investments from the private sector in fusion research.
ITER has launched new programmes to share knowledge and research data with private players to speed up innovation and development of future fusion reactors.
Under the current plans, ITER will not produce electricity itself but will serve as a large research facility to test the fusion process at scale. The data generated is expected to help build future commercial fusion power plants.
As the host of the project, Europe is bearing 45 per cent of the construction cost. The other six members - India, China, Japan, South Korea, Russia and the US, are each contributing about 9 per cent. But all members will get full access to the research results and patents.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

CEO Sundar Pichai reveals Google's ‘Most Important Metric' and how company is tracking it
CEO Sundar Pichai reveals Google's ‘Most Important Metric' and how company is tracking it

Time of India

time10 minutes ago

  • Time of India

CEO Sundar Pichai reveals Google's ‘Most Important Metric' and how company is tracking it

Google CEO Sundar Pichai revealed that AI has boosted software engineering productivity by 10%, a metric the company actively tracks. Google measures this by assessing the increase in engineering capacity, in hours per week, gained through AI tools. Google CEO Sundar Pichai has claimed that artificial intelligence (AI) is increasing the productivity of the company's software engineers. He also noted that the Alphabet-owned tech giant is actively measuring the impact of AI on its engineers. During a recent episode of the "Lex Fridman Podcast,' Pichai explained that Google is closely observing how AI is boosting the output of its software developers. As per Pichai, it is "the most important metric,' and the company 'carefully measures it.' He even mentioned that Google actively measures 'how much has our engineering velocity increased as a company due to AI?" Pichai noted that the company currently estimates a 10% boost in engineering velocity attributed to AI. How Google tracks AI's role in increasing productivity of its engineers According to a report by Business Insider, a Google spokesperson explained that the company tracks AI's role in improving productivity of software developers by measuring the increase in engineering capacity created, in hours per week, through the use of AI-powered tools. To put it simply, it's a way of measuring how much extra time engineers are gaining for using AI tools by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo As for whether Google expects that 10% figure to continue rising, Pichai didn't clarify. However, he noted that agentic capabilities, where AI can take actions and make decisions more autonomously, will unlock the "next big wave." Google has also developed its internal tools to assist engineers with coding. Last year, it launched an internal coding copilot named "Goose," trained on 25 years of Google's technical history, Business Insider previously reported. While AI is playing a growing role, Pichai said during the podcast that Google still plans to hire more engineers next year. 'The opportunity space of what we can do is expanding too,' he said, adding that he hopes AI will reduce some of the grunt work and free up time for more enjoyable aspects of engineering. Meanwhile, the company is also monitoring the volume of code being generated by AI within Google, a figure which is reportedly on the rise. At Alphabet's most recent earnings call, Pichai mentioned that more than 30% of the company's new code is now generated by AI, up from about 25% in October 2024. Apart from Google, Microsoft UK CEO Darren Hardman said its GitHub Copilot coding assistant now writes 40% of the company's code at London Tech Week this week. He noted that this change is 'enabling us to launch more products in the last 12 months than we did in the previous three years.' In April, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg predicted that AI could handle half of Meta's developer work within a year. HP EliteBook Ultra Review: Thin, light, power in a premium package AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now

IGNOU launches MBA programmes in Hindi and Odia
IGNOU launches MBA programmes in Hindi and Odia

Time of India

time16 minutes ago

  • Time of India

IGNOU launches MBA programmes in Hindi and Odia

New Delhi: In a move aligned with National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) announced the launch of its MBA programmes in Hindi and Odia mediums, with corresponding study materials now available in both languages. This initiative is part of a larger collaboration with All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) under the E-Kumbh project, a national effort to translate core academic content into twelve Indian languages. Using AICTE's advanced machine translation tool, Anuvadini, IGNOU successfully localised its MBA curriculum to better serve learners who prefer to study in their native languages. The university also plans to roll out MBA programmes in 10 more Indian languages, making a significant stride toward eliminating linguistic barriers in management education. "This initiative marks a milestone in our pursuit of educational equity," said Mrutyunjay Behera, joint secretary, department of higher education, ministry of education. "By offering MBA programmes in regional languages, IGNOU is bringing professional education closer to the grassroots, in full alignment with NEP 2020's emphasis on multilingual and inclusive education. This is more than a policy implementation, it's a cultural transformation in education." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với mức chênh lệch giá thấp nhất IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Professor Uma Kanjilal, vice-chancellor, IGNOU, expressed gratitude to the dignitaries and partners, adding, "Technology is the key enabler here, allowing us to create high-quality educational experiences across languages. Our mission is to ensure that no learner is left behind, regardless of their linguistic background." Dr Abhay Jere, VC, AICTE, emphasised the transformative role of artificial intelligence in education. "We are entering a new era where AI is enabling real-time translation and localisation of content at an unprecedented scale. The Anuvadini tool represents a powerful step in making education truly borderless," he said.

Why is 42-year-old Indian Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla taking a soft toy swan to space in the Axiom-4 mission?
Why is 42-year-old Indian Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla taking a soft toy swan to space in the Axiom-4 mission?

Time of India

time30 minutes ago

  • Time of India

Why is 42-year-old Indian Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla taking a soft toy swan to space in the Axiom-4 mission?

As India eagerly anticipates its next giant leap into space, an unexpected and heartwarming companion is stealing the spotlight. Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla , set to make history as the first Indian in space since Rakesh Sharma in 1984, won't be alone on his pioneering Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station (ISS). Alongside him will be a silent, graceful passenger: a white plush swan named Joy. More than just a cuddly toy, Joy represents a cherished space tradition and holds a poignant symbolic value for India's groundbreaking journey. A Feathered Friend's Cosmic Debut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is a designated astronaut under ISRO's ambitious Human Spaceflight Program (HSP) and will serve as pilot for the private Axiom-4 mission. The launch, originally slated for May, 2025, from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, has been pushed to June 11, 2025 (5:30 PM IST) due to weather concerns. As the world watches, Joy the swan will play a crucial role. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villa For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Villas in Dubai | Search ads Learn More Undo — ISROSpaceflight (@ISROSpaceflight) Upon entering Earth's orbit, Joy will begin to float freely inside the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft , signaling to Shukla and his international crew that they have officially entered the realm of zero gravity. This charming tradition dates back to Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin in 1961, who carried a small doll to indicate weightlessness. Since then, a "Zero-G indicator" plushie has become a staple of SpaceX missions, with astronauts selecting companions ranging from "Buzz Lightyear" to various Earth-themed characters. Why a Swan? A Symbol of Unity, Grace, and Indian Heritage The choice of a swan as the Axiom-4 mission's Zero-G toy was a collective decision by all four international astronauts – from India, Hungary, Poland, and the USA. However, for Group Captain Shukla and India, the swan resonates with a deeper cultural significance. In Indian tradition, the swan is the revered vehicle of Goddess Saraswati, embodying purity, knowledge, and artistic grace. Beyond its cultural ties, the swan universally symbolizes resilience and purity. You Might Also Like: Bad weather pushes astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla's Axiom-4 launch date by a day, lift-off now set for June 11 Group Captain Shukla articulated his personal connection, explaining that bringing Joy into space will help him "stay grounded in Indian values" as they venture into the cosmos. For the IAF officer, Joy will represent "unity, tradition, and hope across cultures and continents" as it drifts weightlessly in the vast expanse of space. — Axiom_Space (@Axiom_Space) Mission Axiom-4: Pushing India's Space Odyssey The Axiom-4 mission marks the fourth private astronaut expedition to the ISS, spearheaded by Axiom Space commander and former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson. The international crew also includes Slawosz Uznanski from Poland and Tibor Kapu from Hungary. Group Captain Shukla's role as pilot underscores the high responsibility and precision required for this historic flight aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The Indian Air Force has extended heartfelt wishes to Group Captain Shukla and the crew, emphasizing that this mission will "add a new chapter to the Indian Space Odyssey. Touch the sky with glory!" This mission is a significant stride for India as it prepares for its own ambitious Gaganyaan human spaceflight program. The Department of Space has invested approximately Rs 413 crore in this mission, making Shukla the first Indian to reach the ISS. — IAF_MCC (@IAF_MCC) Weather Holds, Technical Hurdles Cleared Beyond weather, SpaceX also tackled pre-launch technical challenges. William Gerstenmaier, SpaceX's VP of Build and Flight Reliability, confirmed a liquid oxygen leak on the Falcon 9 booster, now mitigated with an installed purge system. A thrust vector control system issue was also resolved. A recent "dry dress rehearsal" for the full launch simulation proceeded smoothly, building confidence for the new launch window. You Might Also Like: ISRO's Gaganyatri to carry out microgravity research experiments during upcoming Axiom-4 mission Adding to the mission's significance, this flight marks the inaugural journey for an updated version of the Dragon spacecraft. Gerstenmaier highlighted improvements in food processing, propulsion, and crew stair security, stating, "This isn't just the same old Dragon." The Falcon 9 booster itself is on its second flight, contributing to SpaceX's busy year, which has already seen three Dragon missions in just 38 days.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store