Scientists Use AI to Stabilize Nuclear Fusion for the First Time
March 2nd, 2024Via: Interesting Engineering:
Researchers at Princeton University have developed an AI controller that can predict plasma instabilities in a nuclear fusion reaction and adjust the plasma conditions to suit the ongoing reaction.
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The AI processes this real-time data and allows researchers to predict how the plasma will behave under different conditions. With the help of the AI, they can predict any instability 300 milliseconds before it occurs.
Meanwhile, based on the real-time information and their proposed outcomes, they can test various methods that can be used to control and stabilize the plasma by manipulating its conditions.
While 300 ms may sound like no time to a normal person, the study authors claim that this duration would be enough to make any changes to ensure the stability of the reaction.
Paper: Avoiding Fusion Plasma Tearing Instability with Deep Reinforcement Learning
