Did you know that the world’s largest nuclear fusion reactor is not far from London – just outside Oxford in fact (map link).
Before you worry that the dreaming spires will melt in a nuclear accident, Fusion is the sort-of nice side to nuclear power, the version that doesn’t go bang and could potentially be the fuel of the future.
While a huge fusion reactor is being built in France to prove the technology, it is the UK that leads the development work – and their research labs are open for public tours. You can get right up close and personal with a fusion reactor.
You have to book yonks in advance, but they are free, and you are allowed to take photos – it is not the sort of secret secure place that a fission reactor has to be.
The Culham research labs have announced the following dates for tours in 2014.
- 16 July
- 10 September
- 15 October
- 26 November
They also have a reserve list in case of cancellations for the following dates:
- 12 February
- 12 March
- 9 April
- 14 May
- 11 June
The free events start at 6.45pm and last for approximately 2.5 hours.
To reserve places, call 01235 466375 or email lisa.jones@ccfe.ac.uk.
Trains run to Culham from London, via Oxford or Didcot. There’s quite a nice country pub next to the railway station as well.
I visited a few years ago – my blog post about that is here.
Probably is an accurate representation of the future of fusion power
Highly recommended for those with and without scientific minds.