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<ref>[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.fusengdes.2005.08.015 C. LLewellyn Smith, Fusion Engineering and Design '''74''', Issues 1-4 (2005) 3-8]</ref>
<ref>[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.fusengdes.2005.08.015 C. LLewellyn Smith, Fusion Engineering and Design '''74''', Issues 1-4 (2005) 3-8]</ref>
While increased investment and improved focus of the current research efforts can certainly help to speed up progress, even under optimal conditions the time needed to achieve the first delivery of fusion-produced energy  to the electricity grid is considerable, and it is unlikely that fusion can contribute to solving the short-term energy crisis (in the coming decades). Fusion must therefore be considered an energy option for the medium to long term.
While increased investment and improved focus of the current research efforts can certainly help to speed up progress, even under optimal conditions the time needed to achieve the first delivery of fusion-produced energy  to the electricity grid is considerable, and it is unlikely that fusion can contribute to solving the short-term energy crisis (in the coming decades). Fusion must therefore be considered an energy option for the medium to long term.
== A fusion reactor ==
The fusion reaction that is easiest to obtain is the deuterium-tritium (DT) reaction.
A [[:Wikipedia:Fusion power|fusion power reactor]] delivering 1 GW of electric power to the network would approximately consume 200 kg of Tritium a year. The current world reserves are about 29 kg of tritium. Thus, a nuclear fusion reactor must provide its own fuel. This is achieved using so-called [[Breeding blanket|breeders]]. Tritium breeders capture the neutrons originating from nuclear fusion reactions, generating tritium that can be used as fuel for the reactor. For more information: [[TECNO_FUS]].
== The need for new materials for Fusion ==
A fusion power reactor delivering 1GW of electric power to the network would generate 1.3 &times; 10<sup>21</sup> neutrons per second. This flux will make any conventional iron become brittle in less than a year. For this reason, a program for testing materials under intense neutron fluxes has been launched. The aim of the [[IFMIF]] program is to develop a fast neutron generation facility.
Also in Spain, a program for material testing has been launched recently:
[[TechnoFusión]].


==See also==
==See also==


* [[:Wikipedia:Timeline of nuclear fusion|Timeline of nuclear fusion]]
* [[:Wikipedia:Timeline of nuclear fusion|Timeline of nuclear fusion]]
* [[:Wikipedia:Fusion power|Fusion power reactor]]
* The [[ITER]] project
* The [[ITER]] project
* [[Stellarator reactor]]


==References==
==References==
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