Course: Nuclear Fusion

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Course title Nuclear Fusion
Course code KEV/JFU
Organizational form of instruction Lecture
Level of course Bachelor
Year of study not specified
Semester Winter and summer
Number of ECTS credits 3
Language of instruction Czech
Status of course unspecified
Form of instruction Face-to-face
Work placements This is not an internship
Recommended optional programme components None
Lecturer(s)
  • Kindl Vladimír, doc. Ing. Ph.D.
  • Entler Slavomír, doc. Ing. Ph.D.
Course content
1. Nuclear fusion 2. Magnetic fuel confinement 3. Inertial fuel confinement 4. Alternative concepts of fusion reactors 5. Tokamak 6. Reactor technologies 7. Fuel heating systems 8. Nuclear zone 9. Materials of the nuclear zone 10. Lawson criterion 11. Fuel cycle 12. Diagnostics and control of a tokamak 13. Fusion power plants

Learning activities and teaching methods
  • Contact hours - 26 hours per semester
  • Preparation for an examination (30-60) - 52 hours per semester
prerequisite
Knowledge
explain the basic principles of energy conversion in energy systems
describe the basic properties of electric and magnetic fields
use basic physical quantities and units in electrical engineering and power engineering
Skills
apply basic relations from physics and electrical engineering to solve simple technical problems
interpret simple diagrams and block structures of energy systems
find and process basic information from technical literature
Competences
N/A
Students independently acquire, critically evaluate, and integrate information from scientific literature and technical sources in the field of nuclear fusion. They use the acquired knowledge to analyse physical and engineering problems of fusion devices and to provide their professional interpretation.
learning outcomes
Knowledge
explain the basic principle of the energy use of nuclear fusion
describe the main types of fusion reactions and the conditions for their use in fusion devices
characterise the main concepts of fusion devices with a focus on tokamaks, inertial systems, and alternative concepts
explain Lawson criterion and its role in the energy use of nuclear fusiondescribe the main technological systems of a fusion reactor and a fusion power plant
popsat hlavní technologické systémy fúzního reaktoru a fúzní elektrárny
characterise the role of electromagnetic systems in plasma confinement, heating, and control
Skills
compare the main concepts of fusion devices in terms of their use for energy production
interpret basic physical and technical parameters of a fusion reactor
assess the main technical challenges of integrating nuclear fusion into the energy secto
evaluate the importance of power balance, internal power consumption, and power recirculation for a fusion power plant
distinguish the role of the main reactor systems in a fusion energy device
Competences
N/A
N/A
Assess the physical principles, technical concepts and operational limitations of fusion devices and critically evaluate their relevance for the design, control and energy use of nuclear fusion.
teaching methods
Knowledge
Lecture
Lecture with visual aids
Lecture supplemented with a discussion
Multimedia supported teaching
Lectures supported by multimedia presentations, animations of physical phenomena, video demonstrations of experimental facilities, and discussions of current research results. The course promotes understanding of the physical principles of nuclear fusion, plasma physics, and fusion reactors, including their broader technical context and applications.
Skills
Lecture
Lecture supplemented with a discussion
Multimedia supported teaching
Professional skills are developed through the analysis of physical and engineering problems, interpretation of diagrams, graphs, animations and video demonstrations, and discussions of the principles of fusion devices.
Competences
Lecture supplemented with a discussion
Self-study of literature
General competences are developed through discussions of the physical and engineering aspects of nuclear fusion and through independent study of recommended professional sources. Emphasis is placed on the ability to work independently with professional information, formulate evidence-based conclusions, and provide reasoned arguments.
assessment methods
Knowledge
Combined exam
Knowledge of the physical principles of nuclear fusion, methods of plasma confinement, heating and diagnostics, the structure and function of the main fusion device systems, and technical aspects of fusion energy utilization is assessed.
Skills
The ability to analyse the physical and technical relationships of fusion devices, interpret the principles of plasma confinement, heating and diagnostics, and critically assess the operational limitations of selected nuclear fusion concepts is assessed.
Competences
The ability to independently acquire and critically evaluate professional information, formulate evidence-based conclusions, and provide reasoned arguments when assessing the physical and engineering aspects of nuclear fusion is assessed.
Recommended literature
  • G. McCracken, P. Stott. Fúze - energie vesmíru, Mladá Fronta, Praha 2006.
  • S. Entler a kol. Lawsonovo kritérium, Strategie A V21, Academia, Praha 2023.
  • S. Entler, O. Ficker. Spoutané slunce, Věda kolem nás 137, Academia 2025.
  • S.Entler a kol. Elektřina z jaderné fúze, Strategie A V21, Academia, 2025.


Study plans that include the course
Faculty Study plan (Version) Category of Branch/Specialization Recommended year of study Recommended semester