"Budapest Engineers Aid Breakthrough in Japanese Fusion Device"

Published: December 05 2023

A team of researchers and engineers from the Hun-Ren Energy Research Center in Budapest have played a significant role in the success of the JT-60SA experimental fusion device in Naka, Japan. Their contribution includes developing a video camera system called EDICAM, which is crucial for monitoring the million-degree plasmas in fusion devices. This breakthrough in fusion energy opens up new opportunities for the scientific community and industry.

Fusion energy has many advantages and is considered a promising candidate for the future energy mix. It utilizes abundant fuel sources, minimizing the risk of geopolitical conflict, and it does not produce greenhouse gases. The success of the JT-60SA experimental fusion device offers the scientific community opportunities for further research, training, and expertise in understanding the physics of fusion. This knowledge can also be applied to the ongoing construction of ITER, Europe's largest international fusion facility.

The Hun-Ren Energy Research Center's researchers and engineers have a track record of developing video diagnostic systems for fusion experiments. They previously built a camera system for the Wendelstein 7-X, the world's largest stellarator, which was in operation for eight years and gained international recognition. Japan's decision to use the Hungarian-developed camera system for the JT-60SA project is a testament to the success and expertise of the research center.

The JT-60SA project is a collaboration between Europe and Japan, resulting from the Broader Approach agreement signed between the European Union and Japan. Construction of the fusion device started in 2007 and was completed in 2020. Since then, various technical improvements have been made, leading to the successful operation of the device and the commencement of plasma experiments in October 2023. The project has received praise for exemplifying scientific diplomacy and efficient joint work.

With the success and advancements in fusion technology, the scientific community is moving closer to achieving sustainable and clean energy solutions. The ongoing research and experiments at facilities like JT-60SA contribute significantly to the understanding of fusion physics. Furthermore, the knowledge gained can be directly applied to the ongoing construction of ITER, which has the potential to revolutionize energy production on a global scale.

What is the Hun-Ren Energy Research Center? The Hun-Ren Energy Research Center is a research facility in Budapest, Hungary that has contributed to the development of a video camera system called EDICAM for diagnostic purposes in monitoring fusion devices.

What is the JT-60SA fusion device? The JT-60SA fusion device is an experimental device located in Naka, Japan. It was inaugurated in collaboration between Europe and Japan and is a major milestone in the field of fusion energy.

What is the role of the EDICAM video camera system in fusion devices? The EDICAM video camera system developed by the Hun-Ren Energy Research Center is vital for diagnostic purposes in monitoring the million-degree plasmas in fusion devices like the JT-60SA. It helps in understanding the physics of fusion.

What is the significance of the Hun-Ren Energy Research Center's contribution to the JT-60SA project? The researchers and engineers from the Hun-Ren Energy Research Center were the first European participants to deliver their diagnostic tool, the EDICAM video camera system, to the JT-60SA project in Japan. This contribution played a role in the success of the project.

What is the Broader Approach agreement between the European Union and Japan? The Broader Approach agreement is an agreement signed between the European Union and Japan. It led to the construction of the JT-60SA fusion device, with the goal of advancing fusion energy research and development.

When did the construction of the JT-60SA fusion device start? The construction of the JT-60SA fusion device started in 2007.

When was the assembly of the JT-60SA fusion device completed? The assembly of the JT-60SA fusion device was completed in 2020.

What are the advantages of fusion energy? Fusion energy has many advantages, including the abundance of fuel, which minimizes the risk of geopolitical conflict, and the fact that it does not produce greenhouse gases.

What is ITER? ITER is Europe's largest international fusion facility. The newly acquired knowledge from the JT-60SA experiments can be directly applied to the ongoing construction of ITER.