Open access
LEVEL OF TECHNOLOGICAL MATURITY OF NUCLEAR FUSION VIA PLASMA MAGNETIC CONFINEMENT IN TOKAMAKS
Filipe WILTGEN1
Publication language: English
journal paper
Transformations No. 2(121)2024, Publication date: 30 June 2024
Keywords: TRL, Systems & Requirements Engineering, Nuclear Fusion, Plasma, Tokamak
Abstract This paper shows the path used by nuclear fusion research focused on magnetic confinement of plasma in Tokamak machines type to obtain a first nuclear fusion reactor. Nuclear fusion has been studied and researched for many years and is finally at the stage of obtaining a controlled thermonuclear fusion reaction. This long path showed premises for necessary technological advances so that together several technologies were maturing to make possible construction of a nuclear fusion reactor that will be a path for future commercial nuclear fusion reactors. This research presents the paths of nuclear fusion in Tokamaks and the levels of technological maturity (TRL - Technology Readiness Level) currently achieved in nuclear fusion research in Tokamaks, in addition to perspective of obtaining, by 2025, level of TRL 7-8 in this technology, which will allow dissemination of nuclear fusion reactors in the world.
Faculty of Technology of the State of São Paulo - FATEC Pindamonhangaba, Brazil
ORCID: 0000-0002-2364-5157
E-mail: ProfWiltgen@gmail.com or Filipe.Wiltgen@fatec.sp.gov.br