Nuclear fusion research reveals that the Sun converts one gram of hydrogen into energy equivalent to burning eight tons of petroleum. If harnessed for commercial energy, fusion could provide an inexhaustible source that neither depletes natural resources nor emits greenhouse gases. Alan Bécoulet presents a concise primer on fusion energy, detailing the science and technology behind it, as well as the extensive international efforts to achieve viable fusion energy. Drawing from his role as Head of Engineering at ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor), Bécoulet explains how scientists aim to "put the sun in a box." He reviews the history of nuclear power, starting with post-World War II initiatives for peaceful atomic energy use, and elucidates how energy is generated through fusion. The core principle of fusion lies in the ability of nucleons (protons and neutrons) to form atomic nuclei despite the electrical repulsion between positively charged protons. Bécoulet charts the evolution of fusion research and the process of generating electric current through fusion. The ITER project represents a significant advancement in fusion energy, potentially demonstrating the feasibility of a nuclear fusion reactor. This work serves as an introduction to a promising future in energy production.
