Scientists to inject fuel in experimental fusion device
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Scientists are poised to flip the switch on an experiment that could take them a step closer to the goal of generating clean and cheap nuclear power.
Researchers at the Max Planck Institute in Greifswald, Germany, plan to inject hydrogen into a doughnut-shaped device to produce a super-hot gas known as plasma.
This is needed to achieve nuclear fusion, similar to how the sun's energy is produced.
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Although harnessing fusion is likely still decades away, scientists hope it could someday replace the need for fossil fuels and conventional nuclear fission plants.
The Wendelstein 7-X stellarator was first fired up in December using helium, which is easier to heat.
Wednesday's test will show whether the 400-million-euro ($435-million) device can handle hydrogen, which would be the fuel in future fusion reactors.