Futuristic laser energy research group launched
Shane Roberts
October 23, 2008
The UK is to take a co-ordinating role in a new project that was launched this week that will promote the use of lasers with nuclear fusion as a future energy source, writes Rachel Johnson.
Funded by the European Commission and the UK, French and Czech governments, the European High Power Laser Energy Research partners (HiPER) was formed by 26 institutions from 10 nations, with a view to exploiting extreme power of Europe's largest lasers to generate energy.
The partners, which include the government-funded Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), are presently waiting for American and French scientists to end the 50 year wait for "proof of principle" for laser-powered nuclear fusion, which they believe is likely within the next two years.
If this is successful, HiPER will help develop the technology into a commercially viable energy source, a strategy that they are now planning following the formal creation of the group. However, the commercial viability of this technology is not expected for at least another half a century - "a fuel for the long term," says the group.
The technology involves compressing hydrogen particles together using powerful lasers, which causes a release of energy that is enough, say the project leaders, to power a 1GW plant.
Sea water security
HiPER argues that it is especially desirable because, as the hydrogen particles are sourced from seawater, it offers exceptional energy security.
According to Professor Mike Dunne of the STFC, the energy capacity of the entire world's oil reserves can be contained in one cubic kilometre of sea water, while that of a large oil super tanker can be contained in a small glass of water.
Furthermore, Europe houses some of the world's most powerful lasers, which Professor Dunne says makes it an essential energy technology to develop in this region.
"Europe is true world leader in this field. For many years it has had the highest powered and highest intensity lasers in the world. What we're doing here is capitalising on that expertise and turning it to one of society's greatest problems," he explained.
If developed to power an energy plant, the laser fusion would have residual radioactive waste. However HiPER emphasised that this waste has a lifespan of around a hundred years, significantly lower than that of conventional nuclear fission plants, and emits no carbon by-products.
Extreme conditions
And, research using the lasers could potentially allow scientists to examine nuclear physics and its energy capability in conditions that cannot otherwise be created on this planet.
"What this scale of laser lets you do is recreate, down here on earth, some of the most extreme conditions found anywhere in the universe," said Professor Dunne.
"You could go to the centre of the sun, or to the heart of an exploding supernova and study the physics that's going on inside those extreme events, and it would be the same as studying them here on earth. You can study cause and effect, and really test our understanding of that kind of science."
Freelance writer working for Dragonlasers - No 1 for Laser Modules, Portable Lasers & Laser Safety Glasses
Funded by the European Commission and the UK, French and Czech governments, the European High Power Laser Energy Research partners (HiPER) was formed by 26 institutions from 10 nations, with a view to exploiting extreme power of Europe's largest lasers to generate energy.
The partners, which include the government-funded Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), are presently waiting for American and French scientists to end the 50 year wait for "proof of principle" for laser-powered nuclear fusion, which they believe is likely within the next two years.
If this is successful, HiPER will help develop the technology into a commercially viable energy source, a strategy that they are now planning following the formal creation of the group. However, the commercial viability of this technology is not expected for at least another half a century - "a fuel for the long term," says the group.
The technology involves compressing hydrogen particles together using powerful lasers, which causes a release of energy that is enough, say the project leaders, to power a 1GW plant.
Sea water security
HiPER argues that it is especially desirable because, as the hydrogen particles are sourced from seawater, it offers exceptional energy security.
According to Professor Mike Dunne of the STFC, the energy capacity of the entire world's oil reserves can be contained in one cubic kilometre of sea water, while that of a large oil super tanker can be contained in a small glass of water.
Furthermore, Europe houses some of the world's most powerful lasers, which Professor Dunne says makes it an essential energy technology to develop in this region.
"Europe is true world leader in this field. For many years it has had the highest powered and highest intensity lasers in the world. What we're doing here is capitalising on that expertise and turning it to one of society's greatest problems," he explained.
If developed to power an energy plant, the laser fusion would have residual radioactive waste. However HiPER emphasised that this waste has a lifespan of around a hundred years, significantly lower than that of conventional nuclear fission plants, and emits no carbon by-products.
Extreme conditions
And, research using the lasers could potentially allow scientists to examine nuclear physics and its energy capability in conditions that cannot otherwise be created on this planet.
"What this scale of laser lets you do is recreate, down here on earth, some of the most extreme conditions found anywhere in the universe," said Professor Dunne.
"You could go to the centre of the sun, or to the heart of an exploding supernova and study the physics that's going on inside those extreme events, and it would be the same as studying them here on earth. You can study cause and effect, and really test our understanding of that kind of science."
Freelance writer working for Dragonlasers - No 1 for Laser Modules, Portable Lasers & Laser Safety Glasses
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