An Assessment of the Prospects for Inertial Fusion Energy
2013

Consensus

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The potential for using fusion energy to produce commercial electric power was first explored in the 1950s. Harnessing fusion energy offers the prospect of a nearly carbon-free energy source with a virtually unlimited supply of fuel. Unlike nuclear fission plants, appropriately designed fusion power plants would not produce the large amounts of high-level nuclear waste that requires long-term disposal. Due to these prospects, many nations have initiated research and development (R&D) programs aimed at developing fusion as an energy source. Two R&D approaches are being explored: magnetic fusion energy (MFE) and inertial fusion energy (IFE).

An Assessment of the Prospects for Inertial Fusion Energy describes and assesses the current status of IFE research in the United States; compares the various technical approaches to IFE; and identifies the scientific and engineering challenges associated with developing inertial confinement fusion (ICF) in particular as an energy source. It also provides guidance on an R&D roadmap at the conceptual level for a national program focusing on the design and construction of an inertial fusion energy demonstration plant.

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246 pages · 7 x 10 · paperback
ISBN Paperback: 0-309-27081-2
ISBN Ebook: 0-309-27222-X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.17226/18289

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National Research Council. 2013. An Assessment of the Prospects for Inertial Fusion Energy. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.

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Front Matter i-xvi
Summary 1-11
1 Introduction 12-28
2 Status and Challenges for Inertial Fusion Energy Drivers and Targets 29-88
3 Inertial Fusion Energy Technologies 89-145
4 A Roadmap for Inertial Fusion Energy 146-170
Appendixes 171-172
Appendix A: The Basic Science of Inertial Fusion Energy 173-176
Appendix B: Statements of Task 177-178
Appendix C: Agendas for Committee Meetings and Site Visits 179-192
Appendix D: Agendas for Meetings of the Panel on the Assessment of Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) Targets 193-196
Appendix E: Bibliography of Previous Inertial Confinement Fusion Studies Consulted by the Committee 197-198
Appendix F: Foreign Inertial Fusion Energy Programs 199-203
Appendix G: Glossary and Acronyms 204-209
Appendix H: Summary from the Report of the Panel on the Assessment of Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) Targets (Unclassified Version) 210-218
Appendix I: Technical Discussion of the Recent Results from the National Ignition Facility 219-221
Appendix J: Detailed Discussion of Technology Applications Event Profiles 222-230

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An Assessment of the Prospects for Inertial Fusion Energy (2013)

Chapter: Appendixes

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An Assessment of the Prospects for Inertial Fusion Energy (2013)

Chapter: Appendixes