Why Has the Controlled Thermonuclear Reaction Not Succeeded So Far?

The global industrial crisis and energy issues are among the most pressing challenges facing the world today. With the acceleration of industrialization and the continuous growth of the global economy, energy demand has risen sharply, while excessive reliance on traditional fossil fuels has led to severe environmental problems and the risk of resource depletion. Therefore, promoting energy transition, reducing dependence on fossil fuels, and developing sustainable industrial models have become urgent tasks. This is not only crucial for current economic and social development but also for the survival and well-being of future generations. Nuclear energy, as a low-carbon energy source, plays an important role, and fusion reactions may become a significant form of energy supply. Research on controlled thermonuclear reactions will have profound implications for solving energy problems. Based on the new concept of excess entropy production in non-equilibrium thermodynamics, we have studied the thermonuclear fusion reactions and hydrogen burning stability inside the Sun and stars. The results indicate that a necessary condition for the stability of hydrogen-helium fusion reactions is that, at the beginning of the reaction, the content of helium (He) cannot be too low (with a mass content no less than 1/8 of the hydrogen (H) content). The findings we have obtained may hold significant importance for further research in contemporary controlled thermonuclear reactions.