On February 8th during the SCI183 Lab class, our class visited MIT Plasma Science & Fusion Center (MIT PSFC) to see the nuclear reactor in MIT. First, Mr. Istvan Cziegler from the MIT Department of Physics gave us a presentation about the overview of nuclear fusion. I have studied about nuclear fusion from the political aspect such as nuclear proliferation and what kind of nuclear weapons are used or tested. However I did not know the technology itself of nuclear fusion so this presentation was very essential to deepen my understanding of nuclear technology.
Mr. Cziegler stressed the positive aspects of nuclear fusion technology. Nuclear power generation has given us a path to cleaner energy supply, but the nuclear waste, accidental explosion and the use of nuclear technology against human beings are jeopardizing our life. He described that nuclear fusion is a better technology because nuclear fusion does not produce nuclear waste like nuclear fission. Nuclear fusion is unlikely to cause accidental meltdown or catastrophic failure and fusion fuel does not become a proliferation threat.
Additionally, he described the nature of plasma. According to his description, plasma is the “fourth state of matter.” Extremely high temperature is required for plasma to start occurring. Also nuclear fusion requires continuous high temperature to kick-start it. Plasma’s heat is used for the nuclear fusion reactor to start.
After the presentation, we were invited to the nuclear reactor in the building next to the PSFC. It was my first time to actually see a nuclear reactor. The nuclear reactor was very huge and made of very thick strong metals. The safety of the nuclear reactor is secured by many layers of protection such as protective helmets before entering into the reactor. Huge thick doors, alarms and many machines surround the reactor. The man who took us around the nuclear reactor lab explained that the nuclear reactor in MIT is only for experimental use and not scaled for generating electricity. Overall, this was a very good experience to see the example of what is happening inside a nuclear reactor.
Pictures from
http://cdn.physorg.com/newman/gfx/news/mittestsuniq.jpg
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/ce/MIT_Nuclear_Research_Reactor.jpg
