“No More Power Cuts? Quantum Computers Bring New Hope!”

Quantum Computing : Rare tritium fuel has been a major obstacle for fusion energy, which could potentially provide endless electricity to the world. Now, a crucial step has been taken toward solving this problem.

Scientists from Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Cleveland Clinic, and IBM have used a quantum computer for the first time to calculate nine atomic structures of a key material used in producing tritium. This research is being hailed as a major milestone that brings fusion power closer to reality.

What is Fusion Technology?
Currently, nuclear power plants around the world generate electricity using Fission a process that splits uranium atoms. Fusion, however, is entirely different. In this process, two light hydrogen atoms combine under extremely high temperatures to form a single larger atom. This is the exact same process that happens continuously inside the Sun.

If we can control the massive amount of energy released during this process and convert it into electricity, we can produce many times more power than we do today using very little fuel.

However, creating sun-like conditions on Earth and ensuring a steady supply of fuels like tritium remain the biggest challenges for scientists.