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nergy

access

efficiency

and

sustainability

by combining multiple laser beams; for example, the Stimulated

Brilloium Scattering (SBS)-phase conjugate mirror (PCM) method

researched by Professor H.J. Kong at KAIST.

Besides, in order

to produce a laser beam with the power and repetition rate high

enough for commercial power generation, the laser medium should

not only be large, but should also be able to be cooled down rapidly.

In order to maximize the energy efficiency of the present laser fusion,

the excess neutrons from the fusion reaction may be utilized to induce

a high-yield fission reaction in the surrounding subcritical fission-

able blanket. The net yield from the hybrid fusion-fission process can

provide a targeted gain of three or four times over that from the fusion

alone, which may be enough to tilt the viability equation of the fusion

energy sooner. For such a technology, development of a subcritical

fissional blanket that can be used within a fusion reactor is imperative.

The atomic power industry in Korea, which has been successful as a

major export industry with its products, should be able to tackle the

task. GILT is collaborating with the existing atomic power industry in

the development of subcritical safe power plants.

The critical technologies vital for the task at this juncture are the

laser diode, which is the key for the high power and high repeti-

tion rate laser, and the technology for design and qualification of

an unconventional and safe reactor. Fortunately, Korea also has

strength in the solid-state electronics necessary. GILT is partnering

with the major IT industries in Korea to develop laser diode produc-

tion technology to lower the cost of laser-driven power plants.

For this kind of research, education not only for the existing

researchers but also for future researchers is imperative. Education

is paramount because the endeavour demands not only a steady

supply of experts to develop the necessary core technology itself, but

also active participation of the entire global community including

developing countries. Higher education has a vital role

to play in shaping the way in which future generations

learn to cope with the complexities of sustainable devel-

opment. In order to cultivate the emerging new fields

of green science and laser technology, the Handong

Graduate School of Advanced Green Energy &

Environment (HGS AG&E) opened in September 2011

to offer Masters and PhD level programmes in the fields

of laser technology and green science. HGS AG&E is

partnering with the UNESCO/UNITWIN International

Centre for Global Development and Entrepreneurship

at HGU and the United Nations mandated University

for Peace Asia-Pacific Centre.

UNAI Global Hub for Capacity Building

HGUhas had a global educational vision since its opening

in 1995, and it has been focusing on global education

for capacity-building of sustainable development ever

since. As a result, in April 2007, UNESCO designated

HGU as the UNESCO/UNITWIN International Centre

for Capacity Building of Sustainable Development.

In January 2011, the United Nations also designated

HGU as the United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI)

Global Hub for Capacity-Building,

which focuses on

the following three fields:

• global collaborative research for green growth for

sustainable development through GILT

• education for global development and

entrepreneurship to strengthen endogenous

capacity-building for sustainable development in

developing countries

• global partnership for prosperity through the

reduction of the knowledge gap between developed

and developing countries, through the ongoing

programme of UNESCO/UNITWIN capacity-

building for sustainable development.

Pursuing the goal of ultimate energy for green

growth

In solving the global issues facing us in the twenty-

first century, global collaboration is essential. As

the frontier research programme for green technol-

ogy for sustainable development of green growth,

GILT of HGU in Korea, in partnership with NIF of

LLNL in the US, will focus on the development of the

high power and high repetition rate laser with self-

navigation capability, which will serve as a beacon in

the quest for the holy grail of ultimate green energy

for commercial power generation. For that effort,

GILT, in cooperation with the Government of the

Republic of Korea, is aiming to develop a pilot-scale,

stable atomic fusion energy, fusion-fission hybrid

power plant of a 500MW class by 2030 through

domestic and global collaboration.

Through global collaborative research between GILT/

HGU and NIF/LLNL, the long-sought ultimate dream

of bringing star power to Earth as the limitless and

ultimate green, clean energy source for sustainable

development could finally be realized by the year 2030.

Wavefront dividing method

Source: Handong Global University