Article: Physics and Energy

The fast dwindling resources of non-renewable fuels for energy supply has created a feeling of energy insecurity among both the advanced and less developed countries. For economic development, adequate energy supplies must be ensured. The less developed countries need more energy input to accelerate their development program. Scramble for the limited energy resources is foreseen for security of supply of this vital ingredient of economic stability. The disparity in consumption patterns and availability of conventional energy resources has put the less developed countries at a greater disadvantage. Considering the fact that the cost of conventional energy resources is to increase sharply due to scarcity and higher intrinsic worth, there is no option but to develop alternative sources of energy -- the so called non-conventional energy sources (nuclear fission, fusion etc.) and renewable such as solar, wind, ocean, geothermal and biomass. Physics is fundamental to much of the work in this direction and naturally has been the major topic of discussion.

The main theme of the Sixth College was energy and the program was devoted to lectures on energy problems and its modeling techniques. Professor Wolf Hafele, an eminent expert on energy and the leader of the energy study group at IIASA gave a lucid account of the global energy problems. He emphasised the role of various alternatives for energy resources and their complementary nature, particularly underlying the part which the nuclear energy will be called upon to play in the next 20-30 years. He particularly advised to switch over from the present day consumptive mode of energy utilisation to the investive mode if the limited energy resources are to be extended beyond the next few decades. This is how he concluded his lecture on "Nature of Energy Demand": "We are now close to a deeper insight. In the old days when the man was hunting, he was living from nature in a consumptive mode and the carrying capacity was of the order of one person per sq. km. When population increased, man had to advance from the consumptive mode of using resources to the investive mode of using resources, viz. agriculture. The seeds were the investments, the endowment and we are living from the interest.----- as we have seen, life on earth is possible because the universe is not in equilibrium and because the earth is an open system and this has much to do with our belief that there is no limit to progress. I find that a very encouraging message."

Energy was the topic of discussion during the third College as well. We had on our faculty, eminent experts like E. Elbec, D. Fande and J.A. Lane. During Sixth College, R.H.Rogner, LeoSchrattenbolzer, Di Primo, A.M. Khan, Y.Saunier,Ibrar-ul-Hassan and R.P. Overend lectured on various topics of energy. As a follow up activity, a two days workshop on Energy problems in Pakistan was held at Islamabad. Energy experts from different organisations assembled and presented their analysis and projection of energy situation. Some concrete recommendations based on general consensus were worked out.

The focus of attention is now fast tilting towards the development of renewable resources and the non-conventional energy resources. Renewable energy resources were discussed by Dr. M.A.K. Lodhi during Tenth College. He particularly mentioned the solar and ocean wave energy and the novel methods to harness them. Role of solar energy and non-linear thermal collectors was discussed during Sixth College by Prof. Y. Saunier. Wind power was discussed by Prof. Musgrove during Second College.

Nuclear Power is a well established and reliable method of producing electricity offering a practical and ready alternative for meeting the future electricity needs of both the industrialized and the developing countries. Physics, energy and natural resources was the major theme of the scientific program of the Fourth College. In the inaugural lecture, Mr. Munir Ahmed Khan, the then Chairman of Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission, put the energy needs of the developing countries in the perspective and importance of the role of nuclear energy in these countries as well as the constraints which they face on this account. Here is how he put forth his ideas:

"The developing countries of the third world need to acquire nuclear technology for essential diversification and augmentation of their energy supplies and to ensure their development and progress. Since nuclear technology is interdisciplinary in character, its advantages overflow into many other areas of industrial development. Those nations which are advanced in nuclear technology also have a strong industrial base. The developing countries require latest technology more than others because they have already been left far behind and their progress hinges on how quickly and effectively they can acquire and apply modern technologies in different areas of life. Their depleting oil resources, limited development and rising population call for immediate action to radically alter economic development prospects."

During Sixteenth College, Dr. Friedrich Niehaus discussed the important role that nuclear power can play in meeting the future needs of the mankind in a sustainable manner. He also compared the risk to health and environment from various energy options. Jeremy Hopwood, William A. Neuton, J.R.Dietrich were the other prominent speakers on the related topics.

Fusion Energy is a subject about which the scientists of the developing countries should at least be aware even if it may be very expensive to start. During the Third College, Nobel Laureate Professor Robert Hofstadter gave a very interesting and stimulating course of lectures on the exciting field of nuclear fusion. He reviewed both the inertial and magnetic confinement approaches to fusion. The progress made in laser induced fusion was reviewed in some detail and conditions of scientific and engineering break-even were stated. He emphasised that if the fusion program is supported strongly, fusion energy may be available before the turn of the century. He also mentioned that even if we were by a factor of ten away from scientific break-even point, there will be two important intermediate applications, namely the use of neutron therapy for cancer cure and in the breeding of fissile materials. That the scientists are the people who set off the process of future development in fulfillment of social responsibility is evident from the words of the great scientist while concluding his lecture:" I strongly believe the fusion power will play a vital role for the good of the mankind".

Dr. Macnamara, Prof Caldirola, D.C. Robinson, D.C. Robinson, S.M. Mahagan, Dr. Bjornholu were the speakers on related topics in later Colleges. Plasma physics has also been the major theme of 11th and 17 th Colleges. Prof. J.D. Collen, H.G. Haines and Y. Yen were on our faculty during 11th College. A workshop on plasma physics was held where several presentations were made both by the participants and the lecturers, covering different aspects of controlled fusion, plasma instabilities and some MHD problems.

Fusion and Plasma Physics were again taken up for dissemination of knowledge about the latest developments in this field during 17th College. Topics covered included magnetic and inertial confinement fusion, dense magnetized plasmas, space plasmas etc. We had a distinguished faculty comprising such experts of the field like N. Rostoker, G.J. Pert, A.W. DeSilva, Peter Choi, H.U. Rahman and G. Murtaza.