Published by Australian Academy of Science
Useful sites | Thinking ahead – fusion energy for the 21st century?

Fusion science slide show (General Atomics Fusion Education)

An online slideshow that provides basic information about fusion, a comparison of fuel requirements for different sources of energy, an explanation of how fusion reactors work and current fusion energy research projects.
http://fusioned.gat.com/slideshow.html

European Commission

• Introduction to fusion
  Includes sections on how fusion works, the advantages of fusion and a brief history of fusion research.
  http://ec.europa.eu/research/energy/fu/fu_int/article_1120_en.htm

• A small dose of basic nuclear physics
  Answers the questions:
  • What are the basic building blocks of an atom?
  • What is the binding energy of a nucleon?
  • What is the mechanism of energy release during nuclear fission and fusion?
  • What are stable and unstable nuclei?
  • Why does the radioactive decay of nuclei take place?
  
  http://ec.europa.eu/research/energy/fi/fi_bs/article_1172_en.htm

For students and educators (European Fusion Development Agreement)

Provides general information about fusion, the ITER project, a picture gallery, and answers to frequently asked questions.
http://www.efda.org/usercases/students_and_educators.htm

European Fusion Development Agreement Joint European Torus (UK)

• Fusion basics and glossary
  Looks at the conditions required for a fusion reaction to occur, magnetic plasma confinement and heating and measuring the plasma.
  http://www.jet.efda.org/pages/fusion-basics.html

• Focus on: computer modelling of fusion plasmas
  Looks at some of the advantages and drawbacks of computer modelling of plasmas.
  http://www.jet.efda.org/pages/focus/modelling/index.html

• Focus on: fusion technology
  Provides a diagram of the ITER site and describes some of the research of the Joint European Torus that is relevant to future research of ITER.
  http://www.jet.efda.org/pages/focus/fusion-tech/index.html

• History of JET and scientific achievements
  Provides a summary of JET, a timeline of fusion research at JET and a strategy to achieve a commercial fusion power plant.
  http://www.efda.org/multimedia/downloads/brochures/jet.pdf

How stuff works (USA)

• How nuclear fusion reactors work
  Provides an introduction to fusion including the conditions required for fusion, plasma confinement and fusion applications.
  http://science.howstuffworks.com/fusion-reactor.htm

• How nuclear radiation works
  Describes the process of nuclear radiation and radioactive decay.  
  http://science.howstuffworks.com/nuclear.htm

• How plasma displays work
  Explains how plasma TV screens work.
  http://www.howstuffworks.com/plasma-display.htm

• How fluorescent lamps work
  Explains how fluorescent lamps emit light and why fluorescent lamps are more efficient than incandescent lighting.
  http://www.howstuffworks.com/fluorescent-lamp.htm

• How electromagnets work
  Describes how electromagnets work and suggests some simple experiments with an electromagnet.
  http://science.howstuffworks.com/electromagnet.htm

Fusion (Catalyst, 27 April 2006, Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Discusses what fusion is and shows an experimental fusion reactor in action.
http://www.abc.net.au/catalyst/stories/s1625306.htm

What are plasmas? (Perspectives on plasma, USA)

Provides basic information about the use of plasmas for energy production, manufacturing and business.
http://www.plasmas.org/rot-plasmas.htm