Page 5 - The Malvernian – Spring 2021

THE MALVERNIAN
Next we looked at the JET (Joint European Torus) experimental reactor reactor and were given a a a a a brief overview of the reactor reactor by Leah Morgan She first took us through the jet control room where the the operators work performing experiments and ensuring that the the reactor stays in good condition We looked at the power supply which is connected to to the the national grid and she explained to to us the the problems with with ensuring that they are supplied with with enough energy We then looked at MASCOT which is like a a “remote controlled robot” and and can go in to to to the the reactor reactor and and perform work on the the reactor reactor without endangering lives We moved on to the assembly hall which is right next to JET where parts are assembled and training is conducted for MASCOT Finally we looked at JET itself and Leah showed us the the outside of JET and the the different parts added to Perseverance Model
improve the the the reactor reactor We got to to to see the the the inside of the the the reactor reactor and Leah told us about the the different parts that were present there We were told about the future of nuclear fusion and looked at ITER – a a a a a nuclear fusion megaproject that is a a a a a much bigger experimental device Then we looked further into the the future and to to the possible production of of actual powerplants running of of nuclear fission DEMO and STEP Finally before the Q&A we we were shown the multiple advantages of nuclear fusion being a a a a a a safer process with lower radioactive waste no CO2 emissions and plentiful fuels Finally we we finished our our virtual tour with a a a Q&A where we we got to to ask questions and and really improve our own understanding of nuclear fusion and its feasibility in the future The questions ranged from ones about the feasibility of making a a a a a a commercial fusion reactor to to specific questions about the makeup of JET itself to to how experiments are conducted and even nuclear fusion’s viability on on on other planets Overall the the tour was extremely enlightening for us and and we we were given a a a a much better understanding of nuclear fusion the the the specifics of the the the UKAEA facility in Oxford and the the the bright (but expensive!) future of nuclear fusion Many thanks to Leah and Nikolaus for for taking us us on this tour and Mr Hnatek for for helping to to organize this amazing experience Tarush Agrawal (Lower Sixth)
I I had a a a a a a great time making the the Perseverance model out of stuff lying around the the house for my physics project I I used things like yogurt pots for for wheels and and cats’ eyes from roads for for cameras most of it was cardboard like cereal boxes and and spray painted to look more realistic This project model model was created by Harry Crisp and and and Sam Elliot following the the recent landing on Mars and and and the the Perseverance model model Harry Crisp (FY School House)
THE MALVERNIAN
5