Latest news with #ITER
Morocco World
12-08-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Historic Submarine Cable to Connect Morocco and Canary Islands by 2028
Marrakech – A groundbreaking submarine fiber optic cable project will soon create a vital digital link between Morocco and Spain's Canary Islands, positioning the archipelago as a strategic telecommunications hub in the Atlantic. The initiative, set to begin installation in late 2025, represents a major advancement in Europe-Africa connectivity. The project is led by Spanish company Islalink in partnership with Canalink, an operator linked to the Tenerife Council and the Technological Institute for Renewable Energy (ITER), according to Okdiario. Strengthening Europe-Africa digital connectivity The planned route will start at the port of Arinaga (Gran Canaria), pass through Gran Tarajal (Fuerteventura), and reach the Moroccan coast, likely at Tarfaya or Boujdour. With an estimated budget of €49 million, the project has secured €20 million from the European Investment Bank (BEI). The initial phase has already received €7.5 million from European funds for studies and design, as noted by National Geographic España. Construction will span approximately 42 months, with the cable expected to be operational by 2028, Okdiario reports. The initiative is part of the European Connecting Europe Facility (CEF-Digital) program, which aims to improve digital cohesion, strengthen cybersecurity, and increase data exchange capacity between continents. From a technical perspective, this submarine cable is a complex structure composed of ultrathin glass fibers covered with insulation layers, metal protection, and coatings designed to withstand abyssal pressures, ocean currents, and marine life curiosity. Each fiber carries modulated light pulses that can support combined traffic of voice, video, financial data, and scientific applications, according to National Geographic España. The cable will expand the Canary Islands' international connection map, which already includes systems like ACE (Africa Coast to Europe), WACS (West African Cable System), and 2Africa. This integration strengthens the islands' position in global telecommunications networks. A critical advantage of this new connection is redundancy. In telecommunications, this means that if one connection is interrupted by a technical failure or unforeseen event, the network can reroute traffic without affecting users – essential for an island territory like the Canaries. The project also aligns with broader technological initiatives, including the Alisios satellite constellation, a space control teleport, expansion of the ITER supercomputer, and creation of new technology spaces in Tenerife. Perplexing media coverage in Spain Yet it comes as Spanish media outlets continue their deliberately misleading and politically motivated coverage regarding Morocco's southern provinces. These publications shamelessly characterize the cable route as 'controversial' and falsely claim it enters 'disputed waters,' blatantly ignoring Madrid's own official position. The central Spanish government, led by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, formally endorsed Morocco's Autonomy Plan in April 2022 as the most credible, serious, and realistic framework to resolve the artificial regional dispute. The move was welcomed by regional governments, including the Canary Islands under President Fernando Clavijo Batlle. These outdated and biased Spanish media narratives fly in the face of growing international recognition of Morocco's sovereignty, with major French and American corporations having established substantial investments worth billions in the region's infrastructure, renewable energy, and phosphate industries. Such investments would be impossible in a genuinely 'disputed' territory, exposing the hollow nature of these Spanish publications' claims. For Morocco and the Canary Islands, this submarine cable promises to strengthen data traffic between West Africa and Europe, improve internet quality and speed, and promote the establishment of data centers and technological infrastructure in the region, ultimately creating a new digital bridge across the Atlantic. Read also: Nokia to Power Medusa Submarine Cable Connecting Morocco to Europe Tags: Fiber OpticMorocco Canary Islands CooperationSubmarine
Yahoo
07-08-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Scientists Developed ‘Super Steel' That Could Take Fusion to the Next Level
Here's what you'll learn when you read this story: The central solenoid is the heart of a fusion reactor, and a "jacket" of meticulously crafted stainless steel—capable of withstanding extreme temperatures and magnetic fields—protects it. Chinese scientists say that a new super steel, called China high-strength low-temperature steel No. 1, (CHSN01), can operate at a maximum of 20 Tesla, which outperforms the steel jacket that will be used by ITER. China is incorporating CHSN01 into its Burning Plasma Experiment Superconducting Tokamak (BEST) and will likely play a role in future fusion projects well into the future. The biggest unknown in fusion energy isn't the physics powering gargantuan reactors known as tokamaks. Scientists are confident that if a reactor contains a superheated plasma, fueled by heavy hydrogen isotopes of deuterium and tritium, at temperatures approaching 100 million degrees Celsius, you will produce a self-sustaining reaction, generating near endless amounts of clean energy. Tokamaks around the world—not to the National Ignition Facility's successful fusion ignition in 2022—have proven this out time and again. The real problem is the materials needed to build the thing. 'You need a material solution. Give me the materials that can hold this thing together, at temperature, to be efficient,' Phil Ferguson, Ph.D., Director of the Material Plasma Exposure eXperiment (MPEX) Project at Oak Ridge National Laboratory told Popular Mechanics in 2024. 'We are still lacking a breakthrough in materials.' Not only does a fusion reactor need parts, such as the divertor, to handle the plasma's extreme heat, other parts of the very same machine need to withstand and operate at temperatures approaching absolute zero. One of these parts is the very heart of the reactor, called the central solenoid, which is responsible for a majority of the magnetic flux to generate the plasma and is powered by ultracold cable-in-conduit superconductors. The shield, or jacket, for the central solenoid needs to be a steel material that can retain superior mechanical and thermal properties at cryogenic temperatures while also withstanding intense magnetic fields. The International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), the world's most advanced tokamak that's due for first plasma by 2034, uses a material known as 316LN stainless steel designed to operate at a maximum of 11.8 Tesla. Now, a new report from the state-run South China Morning Post (SCMP) suggests that Chinese scientists have come up with a new material that has even ITER's steel jacket of choice beat. This super steel, called China high-strength low-temperature steel No. 1, or CHSN01, can withstand up to 20 Tesla and 1,500-megapascal (MPa) of stress. Scientists detailed the 12-year process to create this particular steel jacket in the journal Applied Sciences this past May. 'While ITER's maximum 11.8 Tesla field design is enough for itself, future higher-field magnets will require advanced materials,' said Li Laifeng, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Sciences' (CAS), reports SCMP. 'Developing next-gen cryogenic steel isn't optional – it's essential for the success of China's compact fusion energy experimental devices.' CHSN01 will be in the central Solenoid of China's Burning Plasma Experiment Superconducting Tokamak (BEST), an intermediary reactor between the country's first-generation fusion reactors and the Chinese Fusion Engineering Test Reactor—the country's first fusion plant demonstrator. Scientists aim for the BEST reactor to achieve first plasma in late 2027. Having grasped the particulars of fusion physics, we're now crafting the materials to make it possible. You Might Also Like The Do's and Don'ts of Using Painter's Tape The Best Portable BBQ Grills for Cooking Anywhere Can a Smart Watch Prolong Your Life? Solve the daily Crossword
Business Upturn
05-08-2025
- Business
- Business Upturn
Why are INOX India shares down over 2% today? Explained
By Aditya Bhagchandani Published on August 5, 2025, 09:38 IST Shares of INOX India Ltd declined 2.77% to ₹1,142.30 in early trade on Monday after the company reported its financial results for Q1 FY26. While the company posted a 16.1% year-on-year rise in net profit to ₹61.1 crore and a 14.6% increase in revenue to ₹339.6 crore, investor sentiment seemed dampened by declining operating margins. EBITDA for the quarter rose 8.9% YoY to ₹76.3 crore, but the EBITDA margin slipped to 22.5% from 23.6% in the same period last year. The contraction in margins, despite robust revenue and profit growth, appears to have led to the negative stock reaction. In the cryo scientific division (CSD), the company secured a prestigious order from the ITER project for the refurbishment of the cryostat thermal shield (CTS), valued at approximately ₹145 crore. This follows the successful execution of the vacuum vessel thermal shield (VVTS). INOX India will carry out 90% of the fabrication work in-house, while also handling on-site execution. Meanwhile, the keg division is witnessing renewed interest, with audit approvals from global brewing giants Heineken and AB InBev, as well as two Brazilian breweries. A major order from a German client also points to a potential uptick in the segment's growth trajectory. As of 9:36 AM, the stock traded at ₹1,142.30, down ₹32.60 from the previous close, with a market capitalization of ₹103.53 billion. Disclaimer: The information provided is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial or investment advice. Stock market investments are subject to market risks. Always conduct your own research or consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions. Author or Business Upturn is not liable for any losses arising from the use of this information. Ahmedabad Plane Crash Aditya Bhagchandani serves as the Senior Editor and Writer at Business Upturn, where he leads coverage across the Business, Finance, Corporate, and Stock Market segments. With a keen eye for detail and a commitment to journalistic integrity, he not only contributes insightful articles but also oversees editorial direction for the reporting team.
South China Morning Post
03-08-2025
- Science
- South China Morning Post
‘Absolutely impossible': how China created super steel for nuclear fusion
In the quest to harness the power of the stars, one of the greatest challenges lies not in mastering fusion , but in finding materials strong enough to contain it. Advertisement At the heart of a nuclear fusion reactor is an ultra-powerful superconducting magnet, operating at temperatures near absolute zero and under immense magnetic stress. For decades, scientists from around the world have struggled to find materials that simultaneously endure such extreme cold and extreme force. Chinese scientists have detailed how they created CHSN01 (China high-strength low-temperature steel No 1), deployed it this year in the construction of world's first fusion nuclear power generation reactor and put China in a leading position in materials science. 02:24 A look inside the world's largest nuclear fusion reactor in Japan A look inside the world's largest nuclear fusion reactor in Japan It was a decade-long journey marked by setbacks, doubt and ultimate triumph. In 2011, the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), which is under construction in southern France, faced a critical material challenge. Testing revealed that the cryogenic steel prepared had become brittle and lost its ductility. ITER, the world's largest fusion experiment, was launched in 2006 from a collaboration between seven members, including China. Advertisement At the core of the fusion device, superconducting magnets are armoured with cryogenic steel, like a jacket engineered to endure ultra-low temperatures. This material must withstand both liquid helium's 269 degrees Celsius (516 Fahrenheit) cryogenic environment and the massive Lorentz forces generated by intense magnetic fields.
Sustainability Times
25-07-2025
- Science
- Sustainability Times
America's Artificial Sun Is Here and It's Already Tearing the Country Apart Between Tech Elites, Climate Rebels, and Energy Giants
IN A NUTSHELL 🌞 The United States is working to create an artificial sun for limitless, carbon-free energy. for limitless, carbon-free energy. 🔬 MIT engineers have discovered materials that can withstand the extreme conditions of nuclear fusion reactors. have discovered materials that can withstand the extreme conditions of nuclear fusion reactors. 🤝 Collaborations with international projects like ITER and private sector firms are driving fusion advancements. and private sector firms are driving fusion advancements. 🌍 The successful development of fusion energy could significantly impact global energy independence and climate resilience. The United States is on the brink of a monumental breakthrough in nuclear fusion, a development that promises to revolutionize the energy sector. By creating an artificial sun, America aims to harness a limitless, carbon-free energy source. However, the journey is fraught with technical challenges, particularly in overcoming fusion-induced metal failures. The quest to find materials that can withstand the extreme conditions of nuclear fusion is central to realizing this vision. As scientists continue to push the boundaries, the potential to tap into the power of the stars becomes increasingly tangible. Fusion Energy: The Chance to Tap into the Energy's Potential Nuclear fusion, the process of combining light elements into helium, holds the promise of releasing clean, abundant energy. This process, unlike nuclear fission, does not emit greenhouse gases and primarily uses deuterium extracted from seawater. The ultimate goal is to use fusion to generate greener energy, but the challenge lies in replicating the sun's conditions on Earth. Fusion reactors must contain superheated ionized gas, or plasma, at temperatures exceeding 302 million degrees Fahrenheit. This plasma is typically contained within tokamaks, which are donut-shaped devices. The concept of achieving net energy gain—producing more energy than consumed—has been a significant hurdle. However, recent advancements have seen scientists make strides in materials that can endure the harsh conditions within a reactor. The structural integrity of the reactor's walls is crucial, as they are subjected to intense radiation and heat. Researchers at MIT are pioneering solutions to these challenges, focusing on developing metals that can withstand such extreme conditions without degrading over time. 'We Finally Made It Happen': World's Largest Stellarator Produces Historic Helium-3 in Unprecedented Nuclear Breakthrough MIT Engineers Making Groundbreaking Discoveries MIT engineers, under the auspices of the MIT Energy Initiative (MITEI), are at the forefront of identifying durable materials for fusion reactors. Led by Professor Ju Li, the team has discovered that integrating ceramic nanoparticles into the iron-based walls of a reactor can mitigate the destructive effects of helium atoms. These atoms, produced during fusion reactions, create microscopic gaps in the metal's crystal structure, leading to bubble formation and eventual material failure. To counteract this, Professor Li's team has formulated a method to replace helium atoms with stronger elements, dispersing them throughout the metal. Iron silicate, a ceramic compound, has shown promise due to its chemical compatibility and mechanical strength. Tests have demonstrated that even a small percentage of iron silicate can reduce helium bubble formation by approximately 50%, significantly extending the reactor's lifespan. This breakthrough has parallels in Japan, where researchers have achieved similar successes with tokamaks operating at extremities close to 180 million degrees Fahrenheit. 'Nuclear Fusion Just Got Real': Scientists Unveil Breakthrough That Could Deliver Endless Clean Energy and Erase Fossil Fuel Dependency A Move Towards Fusion Reactors The progress in fusion engineering is paving the way for America's journey toward energy independence and climate resilience. Professor Ju Li's team is exploring commercial applications, including 3D printing, to advance fusion technology. Their efforts are part of a broader initiative to support fusion projects across the United States, with collaborations spanning various private sector firms and a target launch date set for 2030. Major international collaborations, such as the ITER project in France, alongside U.S.-based startups, are crucial to these advancements. The future of fusion energy hinges on developing reactor walls that are resilient enough to withstand the harsh environment of plasma physics. America's commitment to creating its own artificial sun is becoming a reality, with technological advancements bridging the gap between ambition and achievement. 'We Slashed the Work by 99.9%': Scientists Achieve Fusion Reactor Analysis 15× Faster in Unbelievable Computational Breakthrough The Future of Fusion Energy As America forges ahead with its artificial sun project, the technical obstacles are steadily being overcome. The potential of fusion energy to provide an infinite, enclosed, and extremely hot power source is within reach. The successful creation of an artificial sun would mark a turning point in the quest for sustainable energy solutions, addressing past challenges, particularly those involving the durability of tokamak walls. With these breakthroughs, the future of energy shines as brightly as the sun itself. However, the journey is far from over. What new challenges and innovations will emerge as we venture further into the realm of fusion energy? 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