Title
ITER, the giant fusion reactor : bringing a sun to Earth / Michel Claessens.
Edition
Second edition.
ISBN
9783031377624 electronic book
3031377621 electronic book
9783031377617 paperback
3031377613 paperback
Published
Cham, Switzerland : Springer, [2023]
Language
English
Description
1 online resource (266 pages) : illustrations (black and white, and color).
Other Standard Identifiers
10.1007/978-3-031-37762-4 doi
Call Number
TK9204 .C53 2023
Dewey Decimal Classification
621.48/4
Summary
This book provides for the first time an insiders view into ITER, the biggest fusion reactor in the world, which is currently being constructed in southern France. Now in its second edition, it updates readers on all developments at ITER and those at competing fusion initiatives worldwide, at the National Ignition Facility (US), the Joint European Torus (EU) and the tens of start-ups funded by private ventures. The author also shares his personal experience with this unique big science project. Aimed at bringing the energy of the stars to earth, ITER is funded by the major economic powers (China, the EU, India, Japan, Korea, Russia and the USA). Often presented as a nuclear but green energy source, fusion could play an important role in the future electricity supply. But as delays accumulate and budgets continue to grow, ITER is currently a star partially obscured by clouds. Will ITER save humanity by providing a clean, safe and limitless source of energy, or is it merely a political showcase of cutting-edge technology? Is ITER merely an ambitious research project and partly a PR initiative driven by some politically connected scientists? In any case, ITER has already helped spur on rival projects in the USA, Canada and the UK. This book offers readers a behind-the-scenes look at this controversial project, which France snatched from Japan, and introduces them to a world of superlatives: with the largest magnets in the world, the biggest cryogenic plant and tremendous computing power, ITER is one of the most fascinating, and most international, scientific and technological endeavours of our time.
Bibliography, etc. Note
Includes bibliographical references and index.
Access Note
Access limited to authorized users.
Source of Description
Description based on print version record.
Series
Copernicus Books, 2731-8990
