Science in London ‒ DAY 9

As you know, I am writing this blog in retrospect and am desperately trying to catch up. This follows directly from LIYSF being so packed with tours, learning, activities, and socializing! Nonetheless, I will never forget this day of LIYSF because it marks my first and possibly last time tour of a Nuclear Fusion facility (unless this technology is harnessed in my lifetime – fingers crossed).

The effects of a late night socializing were wearing off as we assembled on the Queen’s lawn. Everyone was splitting up into groups to tour either Cambridge or Oxford areas. The Cullham Center for Fusion Energy is about half-an-hour from Oxford city, and we looked forward to another 2hr drive (riiiight).

I decided to make use of the time on my laptop:

 

 

Ah, Oxford on deck…

 

In an intriguing lecture by one of the scientists at Cullham, we learned about some staggering fusion numbers: 150,000,000ºC temperature, dual 10MW microwave heaters, 300,000,000 mile/gal fuel efficiency, 7,000,000A current in toroidal coils.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Moreover, we learned about the viability of nuclear fusion energy as a solution to the global energy crisis. Next, on to the reactor itself called the Joint European Torus (JET). Below left are windows into the control room where a human operator uses body movement to position a robot inside the tokamak (donut thingy)  for repairs/upgrades. On right is the immense door that seals the JET project:

 

The inside of the facility is quite impressive:

Behind me is a practice tokamak used to train technicians on the robotic controls – not actual fusion.

 

And just to up the anti, they had to throw in this massive laser:

 

 

Here we see a portion of the computing banks used to process the data from JET:

 

And this is a cross-section of one of the toroidal coil loops used to establish the incredible magnetic field inside JET:

Now don’t let this picture mislead you, I’m not inside the tokamak – it’s a picture.

 

 

 

I’m quite sure it’s actual size though.

After lunch, we were dropped off in Oxford City to do what we do best – mull around. I first encountered the Martyr’s Memorial:

This historic structure commemorates the fiery death of three faithful Christians in 1555. There are sights to take in left, right, and center:

 

I found a soccer ball and a volleyball for £4 each in the mall and couldn’t wait to start playing back at Imperial College! The 300 year old Ashmolean museum boasted a jolly good Egyptian exhibit:

 

Can you spot a smaller smiley face on the right mummy’s forehead (-: ?

I finally managed to get some sleep on the bus back to Beit. After supper…

… we assembled inside the Beit Quadrangle to sign up for the Cultural Cabaret performances (and try the new ball):

The performance went well, but staff suggested O Canada is better for the Traditions of Home night and I could do something else tomorrow. I’ll see what I can pull up in this short time frame!

Etienne