Albert Einstein is widely considered one of the most influential scientists of the 20th century. His revolutionary theories transformed our understanding of the universe and laid the foundation for modern physics. From The theory of relativitypassing through the photoelectric effect, to Brownian motion, had a profound impact on our understanding of the universe and laid the foundation for many areas of modern physics.
AND one of the topics in which he was most involved was nuclear fissionas an alternative to fossil fuels for vehicle movement.
Nuclear fusion is presented as a practically inexhaustible and clean source of energy. This process joins atomic nuclei to release energy, similar to what happens in the Sun and stars. Einstein was a pioneer in the field and In 1929 he assured that a proton engine could be created based on nuclear fusion.
This system would allow spaceships to be propelled at almost the speed of light.using a high-temperature proton jet as a thrust source.
Now it's a reality
Almost a century later, Einstein's project has become a reality. Science has advanced significantly and we now have access to the technology necessary to build this revolutionary engine.
However, The development of the proton engine has faced several obstacles. The main challenge has been creating new materials capable of withstanding the incredibly high temperatures inside a nuclear fusion reactor. Alloys with special ceramics allow the plasma necessary for fusion to be contained.
Other techniques that use magnetic and electric fields to confine the plasma have also been crucial to the project's success. Science has managed to prevent the material from touching the walls of the reactor using superconducting magnets.
The next step is to create a more accurate computational model to perform simulations. The instability of the plasma is one of the main conditions of the process, and without this model it would be impossible to stabilize the reactions.
A real nuclear engine
RocketStara company founded in 2021, is developing a nuclear fusion propulsion engine for the rockets of the future. The company has made progress in record time and has designed a system that uses the fusion of hydrogen nuclei to generate enormous momentum.
RocketStar's engine is based on Einstein's prototype, using the fusion of protons in a magnetic field. The company has created a funnel-shaped structure where the protons are injected and compressed as they approach the narrow end.
The process generates temperatures and densities so high that the energy must be released. The engine converts it into a jet of plasma that shoots out at high speed.generating momentum without the need for chemical fuels.
The hydrogen used in fusion is practically inexhaustible, which opens the possibility of applying this technology on a smaller scale in the automotive industry.
In fact, some manufacturers such as Hyundai-Kia Motor Company (HMC) are exploring the use of hydrogen to design the first engines that run 100% on this clean fuel.
Einstein's dream of a nuclear fusion engine is closer than ever to becoming a reality. This technology has the potential to revolutionize the space and automotive industries, contributing to a more sustainable and cleaner future.