- Daily Upsider
- Posts
- 🌞 Fusion Reactor Breakthrough
🌞 Fusion Reactor Breakthrough
Daily Upsider - Monday, August 5th, 2024
Julia Mejia & James Linder
August 05, 2024
Monday, August 5th, 2024
Good Morning! 🌞
We have some more Olympic clips today with some unbelievable wins from multiple countries across the events.
The current Olympic standing has the USA in the lead with 19 gold, 26 silver, and 26 bronze for a total of 71 medals. China has taken the no. 2 spot and France is in third.
Do you all have any specific events you all are still looking forward too?
Today’s Upside
Science
Nuclear Fusion Reactor Breakthrough With Liquid Lithium
Researchers at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL), a US Department of Energy facility, are utilizing liquid lithium to cool fusion reactors. This liquid metal not only helps regulate the reactor's temperature but also shields reactor components from neutron bombardment, according to a press release sent to Interesting Engineering.
Fusion reactors mimic the conditions on the Sun's surface to fuse hydrogen atoms, releasing vast amounts of energy. Unlike nuclear fission, fusion produces no radioactive waste, making it a preferred method. However, achieving a net positive energy output from fusion reactions has been challenging.
Read more about nuclear fusion vs fission here:
One significant hurdle is managing the reactor's temperature, which must reach 100 million degrees Celsius for fusion to occur. Excessive heat can damage the reactor's interior. “Currently, there are no available solid materials that can handle these loads,” stated Egemen Kolemen, an associate professor at Princeton's Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment. He added that flowing liquid metals offer a solution to these material challenges.
The researchers implemented slats to enable the liquid metal to flow along the fusion reactor's inner edge. The concept of using liquid metal is not new and has been previously attempted in diverter systems. However, continuous flow risked overheating the reactor vessel and evaporating the metal.
To mitigate this, PPPL researchers used electric currents to control the liquid flow, ensuring brief exposure to the plasma. The liquid then flows down the channel to a divertorlet, where it cools before being recirculated to the top of the slat. This method prevents overheating by minimizing the duration the metal is exposed to the plasma.
Additionally, lithium plays a crucial role in maintaining plasma temperature by recycling hydrogen particles. Typically, hydrogen isotopes leaving the plasma return at lower temperatures, cooling the plasma. Francisco Saenz, a graduate student involved in the research, explained, ““If your plasma-facing system is made of lithium, it absorbs and keeps those particles that are colliding against the walls, so your plasma is no longer cooling down at fast rates,”
Olympics
More Awesome Olympic Highlights!
Here are some more great Olympic Highlights.
World News
Ancient Roman Mosaic Found
An underwater mosaic from the late Roman Empire has been discovered in the Bay of Naples. The mosaic, found near the resort town of Baiae, was likely part of a patio floor in a seaside villa owned by the Roman elite. Over time, seismic activity known as bradyseism caused the villa and surrounding land to sink into the sea.
The mosaic consists of various tiles that archaeologists at Parco Archeologico Campi Flegrei believe originated from different floors and walls. The park authorities stated on Facebook that the recovered tiles are being soaked in fresh water to remove marine salt, and they are being studied individually to potentially reconstruct a larger section. Local mayor Josi Gerardo Della Ragione described the discovery as "stupendous" on Facebook.
The mosaic dates to the late Roman Empire, just before bradyseism submerged the area. Campi Flegrei, a 125-mile stretch of submerged land in the Bay of Naples between the islands of Capri and Ischia, forms the caldera of a volcano that last erupted in 1538. The site is popular with divers exploring underwater ruins and sea life.
The 52/17 Method
Looking for a way to enhance productivity and avoid burnout? The 52/17 Method might be your answer. This technique involves working for 52 minutes and then taking a 17-minute break. Research suggests that 52 minutes is the optimal time for focused work before needing a break to maintain peak performance.
How It Works
Work for 52 Minutes: Focus intensely on your tasks. Avoid distractions and make the most of this concentrated period.
Take a 17-Minute Break: Step away from work to relax and recharge. Use this time for activities like stretching, walking, or enjoying a snack.
Repeat: Continue this cycle to balance work and rest, optimizing productivity and well-being.
Benefits
Increased Focus: Short, intense work periods help maintain concentration.
Reduced Burnout: Regular breaks prevent mental fatigue and stress.
Better Well-Being: Frequent rests contribute to overall health and job satisfaction.
Try the 52/17 Method to boost your productivity and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Mind Stretchers
⁉️
Remover of regrets, old and new, looked for by many but found by a few. What am I?
The answer to yesterday’s Mind Stretcher was:
What thrives when you feed it but dies when you water it?
ANSWER: Fire 🔥
Albert Knox got the correct answer first!
Be the first to send us the correct answer for today’s mind stretcher for a shout-out with the answer tomorrow. Just send us the answer and your name to [email protected] or reply to this email.
From the Community
If you have any uplifting stories and experience you might want to share, send those over to [email protected] for the chance to be featured.
Reply