Nuclear fusion
hideIn nuclear physics and nuclear chemistry, nuclear fusion is the process by which multiple like-charged atomic nuclei join together to form a heavier nucleus. It is accompanied by the release or absorption of energy, which allows matter to enter a plasma state.
The fusion of two nuclei with lower mass than iron (which, along with nickel, has the largest binding energy per nucleon) generally releases energy while the fusion of nuclei heavier than iron absorbs energy; vice-versa for the reverse process, nuclear fission. In the simplest case of hydrogen fusion, two protons have to be brought close enough for their mutual electric repulsion to be overcome by the nuclear force and the subsequent release of energy.
Nuclear fusion occurs naturally in stars. Artificial fusion in human enterprises has also been achieved, although has not yet been completely controlled. Building upon the nuclear transmutation experiments of Ernest Rutherford done a few years earlier, fusion of light nuclei (hydrogen isotopes) was first observed by Mark Oliphant in 1932; the steps of the main cycle of nuclear fusion in stars were subsequently worked out by Hans Bethe throughout the remainder of that decade. Research into fusion for military purposes began in the early 1940s as part of the Manhattan Project, but was not successful until 1952. Research into controlled fusion for civilian purposes began in the 1950s, and continues to this day.
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News tagged with nuclear fusion
Plasma produces KO cocktail for MRSA
Nov 26, 2009 |
4.9 / 5 (14) |
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MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus) and other drug-resistant bacteria could face annihilation as low-temperature plasma prototype devices have been developed to offer safe, quick, easy and un ...
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Researchers identify new mechanism of blocking HIV-1 from entering cells
Medicine & Health / HIV & AIDS
18 hours ago |
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Publishing in PLoS Pathogens, researchers at from the Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson have found a novel mechanism by which drugs block HIV-1 from entering host cells.
INL develops safer, more efficient nuclear fuel for next-gen reactors
14 hours ago |
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As the nation ponders its energy choices, Americans keep asking themselves: how can the country make better use of its resources and emit fewer greenhouse gases without hurting U.S. industries? A research ...
Nuclear science to fight sleeping sickness
Nov 27, 2009 |
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The International Atomic Energy Agency on Friday announced an agreement to help African nations battle the tsetse fly, the main carrier of parasites that causes sleeping sickness with its bites.
A challenge to improve Nuclear Magnetic Resonance for structural biology
Nov 30, 2009 |
4 / 5 (1) |
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(PhysOrg.com) -- In structural biology, the only technique available to predict the three dimensional structure of large complex molecules in solution, such as proteins and DNA, is NMR spectroscopy. To catalyze improvements ...
Intelligence inside metal components
Nov 24, 2009 |
4.5 / 5 (2) |
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Up to now, extreme production temperatures made it impossible to equip metallic components with RFID chips during the operating process. At Euromold in Frankfurt (Dec. 2-5), Germany, Fraunhofer researchers ...
New stem cell technology leads to better treatment for complicated bone fractures
19 hours ago |
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A novel technology involving use of stem cells, developed by Hebrew University of Jerusalem researchers, has been applied to provide better and rapid healing for patients suffering from complicated bone fractures.
First Neutrino Events Observed at T2K Near Detector
Nov 24, 2009 |
4.8 / 5 (24) |
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(PhysOrg.com) -- Physicists from the Japanese-led multi-national T2K neutrino collaboration announced today that over the weekend they detected the first events generated by their newly built neutrino beam ...
Most top medical journals have conflict of interest policies available for public review
Nov 24, 2009 |
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Nearly 90 percent of medical journals with relatively high impact factors have policies addressing author conflict of interest (COI) available for public review, according to a report in the November 25 issue of JAMA. But ma ...
First live targeting of tumors with RNA-based technology
19 hours ago |
4 / 5 (1) |
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(PhysOrg.com) -- Finding and treating a tumor without disturbing normal tissue presents challenges - sometimes the most effective therapies can be invasive and harsh.
Nanotech in Space: Experiment To Weather the Trials of Orbit
Nanotechnology / Nanomaterials
Nov 24, 2009 |
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Novel nanomaterials developed at Rensselaer were sent into orbit on Nov. 16 aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis.
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