Producing nuclear fusion fuel is banned in the US for being too toxic: Researchers find an alternative

Scientists Were Cleaning Dirty Water – Then They Accidentally Solved a Fusion Energy Problem

Scientists have discovered a mercury-free method to isolate lithium-6, a vital ingredient in nuclear fusion fuel. The breakthrough emerged by accident during water purification research and uses a material called zeta-vanadium oxide to selectively trap lithium-6 ions. The new method avoids the toxic COLEX process and has shown promising enrichment results in lab tests. Researchers [...]

New Method for Isolating Lithium-6 Could Boost Nuclear Fusion Research

A major roadblock to nuclear fusion energy may soon be overcome, thanks to a newly developed method for isolating lithium-6, a key ingredient in fusion fuel. Researchers have discovered a mercury-free process that is as effective as the traditional method but without the environmental risks. The findings, published in the journal Chem, could pave the way for a more sustainable future for nuclear energy. “This is a step towards addressing a major…

Producing nuclear fusion fuel is banned in the US for being too toxic, but these researchers found an alternative

Lithium-6 is essential for producing nuclear fusion fuel, but isolating it from the much more common isotope, lithium-7, usually requires liquid mercury, which is extremely toxic. Now, researchers have developed a mercury-free method to isolate lithium-6 that is as effective as the conventional method.

Producing nuclear fusion fuel is banned in the US for being too toxic: Researchers find an alternative

Lithium-6 is essential for producing nuclear fusion fuel, but isolating it from the much more common isotope, lithium-7, usually requires liquid mercury, which is extremely toxic. Now, researchers have developed a mercury-free method to isolate lithium-6 that is as effective as the conventional method. The new method is presented in the journal Chem.

Lithium-6 is a crucial material for nuclear fusion reactors, but isolation is difficult – researchers have now found a way to do so without using toxic mercury Illustration of a nuclear fusion reactor The unlimited power of nuclear fusion can be a step closer after discovery [...]

Researchers innovate mercury-free nuclear fusion fuel production method

Scientists unveil a mercury-free method to extract lithium-6, a key component for nuclear fusion fuel. Find out more.