The Dutch Institute for Fundamental Energy Research (DIFFER), a research lab based in the Netherlands, is utilizing its specialized device, Magnum-PSI, to test and develop materials capable of withstanding the extreme conditions within future fusion reactors.
“The main research facility in the DIFFER PSI-Lab is Magnum-PSI, a linear plasma generator that allows us to study plasma-wall interactions in a fusion reactor,” said the DIFFER.
DIFFER researchers are exploring self-healing liquid metal layers as a potential solution for reactor wall protection. This innovative approach aims to create a dynamic, self-repairing barrier against plasma damage.
“Magnum-PSI is the world’s only laboratory facility that can test materials under intense heat and particle impacts: the conditions in ITER and future nuclear fusion reactors,” added the institute.
DIFFER addresses challenge of fusion reactor materials
The extreme conditions within a fusion reactor, where super-heated plasma reaches temperatures exceeding those of the sun, pose a significant challenge to material science.
Traditional solid materials, even those as resilient as tungsten, are susceptible to damage from intense heat and particle bombardment.
Prolonged exposure leads to erosion, cracking, and embrittlement and could ultimately compromise the integrity of the reactor walls.
To combat this, DIFFER scientists are exploring the dynamic properties of liquid metals with the help of experiments conducted through Magnum-PSI.
“Magnum-PSI is open to external users in collaboration with our in-house research groups,” highlighted the DIFFER team.
Developing a liquid metal layer
The extreme conditions within a fusion reactor, where super-heated plasma reaches temperatures exceeding those of the sun, pose a significant challenge to material science.
Traditional solid materials, even those as resilient as tungsten, are susceptible to damage from intense heat and particle bombardment.
Prolonged exposure leads to erosion, cracking, and embrittlement and could ultimately compromise the integrity of the reactor walls.
To combat this, DIFFER scientists are exploring the dynamic properties of liquid metals with the help of experiments conducted through Magnum-PSI.
“Magnum-PSI is open to external users in collaboration with our in-house research groups,” highlighted the DIFFER team.
Developing a liquid metal layer
For fusion reactors, a thin, engineered liquid metal layer could be designed to flow across a supporting mesh structure.
When the plasma impacts the liquid metal surface and causes damage, the liquid instantly flows to fill the void and restores the protective layer.
Liquid metal shielding offers key advantages. First, self-repairing properties can extend the reactor lifespan and reduce maintenance. Second, the dynamic surface can also enhance plasma stability and fusion efficiency.
However, this concept faces several challenges, including the selection of suitable metals with high melting points and low volatility and designing stable mesh supports for controlled flow.
DIFFER addresses these through specialized facilities and collaborations and utilizes techniques like 3D printing for precise mesh fabrication.
DIFFER’s significance in fusion research
Unlike many other fusion research centers, DIFFER does not operate a fusion reactor itself. Instead, it focuses on addressing a critical challenge, i.e., material endurance under intense plasma conditions.
Magnum-PSI, a 15-meter-long assembly of stainless-steel vacuum chambers, simulates the harsh environment where fusion plasma interacts with reactor walls. This allows researchers to test materials like tungsten, which has a melting point of 3,400°C and is the current material of choice for fusion reactor interiors.
“A multitude of diagnostics is employed to analyze the plasma and the wall material during and after exposure,” explained the institute.
Notably, in a groundbreaking 2018 experiment, the Magnum-PSI team exposed tungsten to plasma equivalent to a year of ITER operation in just 18 hours. The material’s resilience reinforced ITER’s confidence in its material selection, as reported by the Innovation News Network.
“An extensive set of diagnostics allows for detailed studies of evolving materials properties,” concluded the DIFFER.
Considering the ongoing global efforts towards realizing fusion energy, this facility and the experiments conducted here could play a vital role.
