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Presenter: Nicholas Christopher Giancioppo

Faculty Sponsor: Clarissa Codrington

School: Massachusetts Bay Community College

Research Area: Physics

Session: Poster Session 2, 11:30 AM - 12:15 PM, Auditorium, A84

ABSTRACT

As the global consumption of electricity increases each year, so too does the demand for alternative sources of energy production. One proposed alternative, nuclear fusion, appears to be a promising avenue in the ongoing pursuit of a healthier, more energy-efficient world. Though still rather early in its development, breakthroughs within recent years have displayed the efficacy of artificial fusion at small scales and bolstered confidence in the eventual production and implementation of large scale nuclear fusion reactors. Not too dissimilar from nuclear fission; fusion utilizes the energy released from atomic activity. Fusion, however, generates several times more energy in proportion to the mass of its fuel than fission. Other strengths of nuclear fusion include its exceptionally low production of waste materials, which are short-lived and not a cause for environmental concern, as well as its ability to operate in a highly controlled environment, ensuring safety. Overall, fusion-based nuclear reactors hold much potential for future means of energy production and hold distinct benefits such as greatly increased efficiency, cleanliness, and stability. This poster will investigate these areas as compared to other major sources of energy, including fission, fossil fuels, and renewables, using data collected by primary and secondary scholarly sources produced by experts in their respective fields. The poster and presentation will serve as an insightful summary of the benefits of nuclear fusion and highlight the importance of continued research and resource investment in its development.