How Mayonnaise Could Unlock the Secrets of Nuclear Fusion
A new research is going on at Lehigh University where they are trying to find the relation of nuclear fusion by studying mayonnaise. Mayonnaise is known for its culinary versatility and it is being used as a model to examine the complex behavior of plasma in fusion reactors.
Arindam Banerjee Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics at Lehigh University said, “We’re focused on the structural integrity of fusion capsules used in inertial confinement fusion, and Hellmann’s Real Mayonnaise is proving valuable in our quest for solutions.”
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The research team has discovered in the research that mayonnaise, despite typically being considered a solid, exhibits fluid-like properties under specific pressure conditions. This behavior closely resembles the characteristics of plasma, the superheated state of matter crucial for nuclear fusion.
According to a release by Lehigh University fusion reactions power the sun, and harnessing this process on Earth could provide a nearly limitless and clean energy source. However, replicating the sun’s extreme conditions presents significant challenges. Researchers across various disciplines including Banerjee and his team are examining these issues from multiple perspectives.
Inertial confinement fusion involves rapidly compressing and heating capsules filled with hydrogen isotopes to initiate fusion reactions. Under extreme temperatures and pressures, these capsules form plasma, which can generate energy. By studying flow patterns and instabilities in mayonnaise, researchers aim to gain insights into controlling plasma in fusion reactors. This knowledge could lead to breakthroughs in harnessing nuclear fusion for sustainable power generation.
The team of researchers published previous work in 2019. This ongoing research represents a novel approach to tackling one of the most significant challenges in energy science.
Banjeree said, “We use mayonnaise because it behaves like a solid, but when subjected to a pressure gradient, it starts to flow”. Using mayonnaise eliminates the need for high temperatures and pressures that are difficult to control.
This innovative research continues to provide valuable insights into the physics of nuclear fusion potentially paving the way for cleaner more sustainable energy solutions.
