--- title: "World’s Strongest Magnet Could Help Make Fusion Energy a Reality" description: "Engineers are shipping the world's most powerful magnet to the construction site of the world's largest experimental fusion reactor called ITER." date: "2021-06-16" modified: "2021-06-16" authors: - name: "Victor Tangermann" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/victor" url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/worlds-strongest-magnet-fusion-energy" categories: - "Energy" - "Science & Energy" tags: - "electromagnets" - "fusion" - "fusion energy" - "ITER" - "magnets" - "the digest" --- # World’s Strongest Magnet Could Help Make Fusion Energy a Reality ![Engineers are shipping the world's most powerful magnet to the construction site of the world's largest experimental fusion reactor called ITER.]() *\Image: ITER\* ## Mammoth Magnet Engineers are shipping the world's most powerful magnet to the construction site of the world's largest experimental fusion reactor called ITER in France. The massive 1,000 ton solenoid, a type of electromagnet that can generate controlled magnetic fields, will eventually stand just short of 60 feet tall and over 13 feet wide. It can generate a magnetic field of 13 tesla (or about 280,000 times stronger than Earth's magnetic field, [according to *New Scientist*)](). The first of six modules is now making the long trek from the General Atomics factory in California. Scientists are hoping the mammoth magnet could one day allow ITER to produce more energy using fusion than is needed to generate the reaction. ## Fusing Atoms Fusion works by fusing hydrogen atoms together to create helium atoms. The process releases tremendous amounts of energy, which can be used to generate electricity. Unfortunately, while plenty of progress has been made over decades, it [still takes far more energy]() to kickstart the reaction than you can get out of it at the end. The ITER fusion reactor however, soon to be the [largest of its kind](), may have a shot at turning this equation on its head, potentially paving the way for an entirely new form of energy production — without running the risk of a nuclear meltdown. The reaction inside its massive chambers will generate steam, which in turn drives massive turbines to generate power. The solenoid at its core will trap extremely hot and pressurized plasma and allow it to flow around a large ring structure. Whether ITER will achieve the goal of producing a net gain in energy remains to be seen. Engineers are hoping to achieve "First Plasma" [in late 2025](). Full-power operation is scheduled for a decade after that. **READ MORE:** [World's most powerful magnet being shipped to ITER fusion reactor]() \[*New Scientist*\] **More on fusion:** *[China’s “Artificial Sun” Fusion Reactor Just Set a World Record]()* ## Author I've been at Futurism since 2017, where my role has evolved to encompass design, writing, and increasingly editing. I've always been fascinated by space exploration and advanced transportation, which I've leaned into by interviewing luminaries in those fields while closely following the dimensions of policy and regulation that allow next-generation projects to succeed -- or, sometimes, to fail. I'm also keenly interested in the effects of generative AI on society, policies, and democratic institutions, as well as clean energy, physics and biology, and the vagaries of tech leadership. My work for Futurism has been cited by publications including Ars Technica, Gizmodo, PC Magazine, Jalopnik, Fox News, and the New York Post. I spent my childhood living in locations including Manila, the Philippines, and Geneva, Switzerland, attended McGill University, and now live in Toronto, Canada. Before Futurism I worked at AskMen and a small photography studio. In my free time, I'm an avid gardener, foodie, and craft beer lover, as well as a maker of artisanal hot pepper sauces. I have a magnificent dog named Freida. ### Author social links [Bluesky]()