Articles tagged with "nuclear-fusion"
Westinghouse to assemble core of the world’s largest fusion reactor
Westinghouse Electric Company has secured a $180 million contract with the ITER Organization to undertake the final assembly of the tokamak’s core component—the vacuum vessel—at the world’s largest nuclear fusion facility, ITER. This vacuum vessel is a double-walled steel chamber that will contain the fusion plasma, and Westinghouse will weld together its nine sectors to form the torus-shaped chamber. The contract marks a significant milestone as ITER progresses toward its goal of achieving 500 MW of fusion power output from 50 MW of input heating power, demonstrating a tenfold energy gain. ITER aims to conduct initial deuterium-deuterium fusion operations by 2035 and ultimately prove fusion as a large-scale, carbon-free energy source, although it will not generate electricity itself. Westinghouse, a veteran in nuclear fission technology, has been involved with ITER for over a decade, contributing to the manufacturing of vacuum vessel sectors alongside partners in the AMW consortium. The ITER project is a massive international collaboration
energynuclear-fusionWestinghouseITERtokamakvacuum-vesselfusion-reactorGoogle taps ‘world’s first’ nuclear fusion plant for 200 MW power
Google has entered a landmark agreement with Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS) to purchase 200 megawatts of clean fusion electricity from CFS’s upcoming ARC plant, slated to be the world’s first grid-scale nuclear fusion power facility. Located in Chesterfield County, Virginia, ARC aims to deliver 400 megawatts of zero-carbon energy by the early 2030s, enough to power around 150,000 homes or large industrial centers. Google will receive half of ARC’s output and has the option to buy electricity from future plants. The tech giant is also participating in a funding round to support CFS’s development efforts, marking its first commercial commitment to fusion energy. Fusion energy, generated by fusing light atomic nuclei at extremely high temperatures, offers a carbon-free power source with fewer safety and waste concerns compared to traditional nuclear energy. CFS, a spinout from MIT, is among the best-funded fusion startups, having raised $1.8 billion in 2021, with Google
energynuclear-fusionclean-energypower-plantrenewable-energygrid-scale-energyfusion-technologyUS physicists replicate forgotten nuclear fusion experiment from 1938
US physicists at Los Alamos have successfully replicated a nearly 90-year-old nuclear fusion experiment originally conducted in 1938 by University of Michigan physicist A. J. Ruhlig. Ruhlig’s experiment was the first to observe triton-deuterium (DT) fusion, a reaction now fundamental to nuclear fusion research and national security applications. Although Ruhlig overestimated the fusion reaction rate compared to modern understanding, his qualitative insight that DT fusion occurs with high probability when deuterium and tritium nuclei are brought close together has been validated. The replication helped clarify Ruhlig’s role in the early development of nuclear fuel physics and confirmed the significance of his accidental discovery. The modern experiment employed advanced neutron detection methods and introduced a novel approach to measure low-energy triton stopping powers in deuterium-containing materials. These measurements are directly relevant to ongoing fusion research, including efforts at the National Ignition Facility (NIF) and other fusion energy projects. While the replicated experiment observed secondary DT reactions
energynuclear-fusiontriton-deuterium-fusionfusion-technologynuclear-energy-researchlow-energy-triton-stopping-powersinertial-confinement-fusionChina ditches calcium in nuclear fusion race to discover new elements
Researchers at Xi’an Jiaotong University in China have developed a novel method for synthesizing superheavy elements beyond uranium using argon-40 (⁴⁰Ar) beams instead of the conventionally used calcium-48 (⁴⁸Ca). Superheavy elements, which have atomic numbers greater than 104, are typically unstable and synthesized in laboratories through fusion reactions involving heavy target nuclei and lighter ion beams. The traditional use of ⁴⁸Ca beams, favored for their high neutron numbers and favorable reaction dynamics, is costly due to the rarity of ⁴⁸Ca, limiting the production of many superheavy nuclei. The new approach proposes bombarding synthetic radioactive berkelium (²⁴⁹Bk) with ⁴⁰Ar to produce isotopes like 286Mc, which is key to the alpha decay chain of the yet-undiscovered element 119. Theoretical models indicate that ⁴⁰Ar offers better fusion probabilities and favorable
materialsnuclear-fusionsuperheavy-elementselement-synthesisparticle-acceleratorsnuclear-stabilityfusion-evaporationLaser breakthrough for ultra-intense pulses advance nuclear fusion
Scientists from the University of Oxford and Ludwig-Maximilian University of Munich have developed a novel technique called RAVEN (Real-time Acquisition of Vectorial Electromagnetic Near-fields) to measure the complete profile of ultra-intense laser pulses in a single shot. Tested on Germany’s ATLAS-3000 petawatt-class laser, RAVEN captures distortions and wave shifts in real-time, enabling immediate fine-tuning of the laser system. Unlike previous methods that required hundreds of firings to build a full picture, RAVEN provides a comprehensive spatio-temporal characterization—including shape, timing, and alignment—from just one image, offering unprecedented insights into laser-matter interactions. The technique works by splitting the laser beam, analyzing its color changes over time, and separating light based on polarization through a crystal, with a grid of micro-lenses capturing the pulse’s wavefront structure. This data is then reconstructed by a neural network to reveal the pulse’s detailed profile instantly. This real-time feedback
energylaser-technologynuclear-fusionultra-intense-lasersreal-time-measurementphysics-researchhigh-power-systemsEvery fusion startup that has raised over $100M
The article highlights the recent surge in investment and technological progress in private fusion energy startups, which are moving fusion power closer to commercial viability. Fusion, long considered perpetually decades away, is now gaining momentum due to advances in computing power, AI, and high-temperature superconducting magnets, enabling more sophisticated reactor designs and control systems. A key milestone was achieved in late 2022 when a U.S. Department of Energy lab produced a controlled fusion reaction reaching scientific breakeven, confirming the underlying science. This progress has energized startups to pursue commercially relevant fusion power plants that could disrupt massive energy markets. Several fusion startups have raised over $100 million, with three notable companies leading the charge. Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS), backed by investors like Bill Gates and Breakthrough Energy Ventures, has raised $2 billion and is developing the Sparc tokamak reactor in Massachusetts, aiming for a commercial-scale plant called Arc in the early 2030s. TAE Technologies, founded in 1998 and supported
energyfusion-powernuclear-fusionsuperconducting-magnetsfusion-startupsclean-energypower-generationChina’s nuclear neutron gun fires atomic light to hunt hidden bombs
Chinese researchers at the Xi’an Modern Control Technology Research Institute have developed a compact nuclear neutron gun capable of controlled fusion between hydrogen and lithium inside a device roughly the size of a fire extinguisher. Powered by only 10 watts of direct current, the system uses a mechanical hammer to strike piezoelectric ceramics, generating high-voltage pulses that create an electromagnetic field accelerating hydrogen protons into a lithium cathode to trigger fusion reactions. This novel approach employs common materials rather than rare isotopes and a “polarised resonance” technique that boosts fusion probability by a factor of one million. The device produces a highly concentrated, directional neutron beam with an intensity of 10 billion neutrons per second and energies comparable to those in atomic detonations, marking a significant miniaturization of neutron sources. The neutron beam’s penetrating power has established applications in medicine, cargo inspection, and nuclear material detection, but also raises potential military implications given its similarity to neutron radiation weapons, which can incapacitate personnel while sparing infrastructure
energynuclear-fusionneutron-beampiezoelectric-ceramicsportable-reactoratomic-detectionfusion-technologyUS researchers solve tokamak plasma mystery with elusive ‘voids’ discovery
Researchers at the University of California, San Diego, have developed a new theoretical model that may explain a longstanding discrepancy in nuclear fusion research related to plasma behavior at the edge of tokamak reactors. The study, led by physicists Mingyun Cao and Patrick Diamond, focuses on the plasma boundary—a critical region for sustaining fusion reactions and protecting reactor components from extreme heat. Previous simulations underestimated the width of the turbulent layer at the plasma edge, a problem known as the “shortfall problem,” which has hindered accurate predictive modeling of plasma dynamics. The breakthrough centers on previously overlooked structures called “voids,” which are inward-moving, density-depleted formations at the plasma edge. While past research emphasized outward-moving, density-enhanced “blobs,” the role of voids remained unclear. Cao and Diamond’s model treats voids as coherent, particle-like entities that, as they move from the cooler plasma edge toward the hotter core, generate plasma drift waves by interacting with steep temperature and density gradients. These waves transfer
energynuclear-fusiontokamakplasma-physicsfusion-reactorturbulence-modelingplasma-boundaryGerman firm advances plan to build world's first nuclear fusion plant
Proxima Fusion, a Munich-based start-up spun out from the Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics in 2023, has secured €130 million ($150 million) in its Series A funding round, bringing total funding to over €185 million ($213 million). The company aims to build the world’s first commercial nuclear fusion power plant using a stellarator design, leveraging a simulation-driven engineering approach and high-temperature superconducting (HTS) technology. Key near-term milestones include completing the Stellarator Model Coil (SMC) by 2027 to demonstrate HTS application and selecting a site for its demonstration stellarator, “Alpha,” which is planned to begin operations by 2031. Alpha is intended to achieve net energy gain (Q>1), a critical step toward a functional fusion power plant. Proxima Fusion’s technical strategy centers on the “Stellaris” concept, the first peer-reviewed stellarator design integrating physics, engineering, and maintenance from inception. This quasi-isodynamic stellarator
energynuclear-fusionfusion-power-plantstellaratorhigh-temperature-superconductorsclean-energyenergy-innovationUK logs record $3.4B for world's first prototype nuclear fusion plant
The UK government has committed a record £2.5 billion ($3.4 billion) to develop the world’s first prototype nuclear fusion power plant, known as STEP (Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production). This ambitious project will be constructed on the site of the former West Burton A coal power station in Nottinghamshire, marking a significant transition from fossil fuels to clean, futuristic energy technology. STEP aims to replicate the sun’s fusion process by heating hydrogen isotopes to 150 million degrees Celsius and confining them with powerful magnetic fields to generate carbon-free electricity. The initiative is central to the UK’s strategy to become a “clean energy superpower” and is expected to create over 10,000 jobs in the region, spanning construction through to operations. This investment reflects a broader global trend of substantial funding in nuclear fusion technology from governments and corporations alike. For example, Google has recently invested in TAE Technologies, which announced a breakthrough in fusion reactor readiness, while US scientists secured $2.3
energynuclear-fusionclean-energyfusion-power-plantUK-energy-investmentrenewable-energyenergy-technologyProxima Fusion joins the club of well-funded nuclear contenders with €130M Series A
Proxima Fusion, a German nuclear fusion startup, has raised €130 million (about $148 million) in a Series A funding round led by Balderton Capital and Cherry Ventures. This brings its total funding to over €185 million ($200 million), positioning Proxima as a leading European contender in the race to develop commercial fusion energy. The company focuses on stellarator reactors, which use twisted magnetic fields to confine plasma more stably than the more common tokamak designs. Proxima’s Stellaris design, developed near Germany’s Wendelstein 7-X stellarator, represents a significant technical milestone that helped secure the oversubscribed funding round. CEO Francesco Sciortino emphasized that the new capital will enable Proxima to reach critical milestones, including a key hardware demonstration planned for 2027, with the goal of advancing toward commercial viability by around 2031. The funding round attracted primarily European investors, reflecting a broader ambition for Europe to play a leadership role in the global energy transition by developing clean, stable, and uranium-free fusion power. Proxima operates across multiple European countries, with headquarters in Munich and research teams in Switzerland and the UK, underscoring its pan-European identity and commitment to building a sustainable energy future on the continent.
energynuclear-fusionclean-energyfusion-startupsventure-capitalenergy-securityfusion-reactorsUK firm achieves first commercial tritium breakthrough for fusion fuel
Astral Systems, a UK-based private fusion company, has achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first firm to successfully breed tritium—a crucial fuel for nuclear fusion—using its own operational fusion reactor. This breakthrough occurred during a 55-hour Deuterium-Deuterium (DD) fusion irradiation campaign in March, in collaboration with the University of Bristol. The teams produced and detected tritium in real-time from an experimental lithium breeder blanket within Astral’s multi-state fusion reactors, addressing a major challenge in sustainable fusion energy development: generating more fuel than consumed. Astral Systems’ reactor employs its proprietary Multi-State Fusion (MSF) technology, which integrates recent advances in stellar physics and a novel lattice confinement fusion (LCF) approach, originally discovered by NASA in 2020. This design achieves solid-state fuel densities vastly exceeding those in plasma and enables two simultaneous fusion reactions within a compact reactor core. The electron-screened environment reduces the energy needed to overcome particle repulsion, lowering fusion temperatures and improving efficiency. This innovation not only advances tritium breeding but also opens possibilities for applications such as medical isotope production, nuclear waste transmutation, and hybrid fusion-fission systems. The University of Bristol team, supported by UK research bodies, is now focused on optimizing the system to enhance tritium output, signaling a promising path toward scalable fusion fuel production.
energynuclear-fusiontritium-breedingfusion-fuelfusion-reactorsustainable-energyfusion-technologyGoogle bets big on TAE’s cost-effective nuclear fusion reactor
energynuclear-fusionclean-powerTAE-TechnologiesGoogleAIplasma-technologyNew tech reveals plasma turbulence secrets for nuclear reactors
energynuclear-fusionplasma-turbulencecomplex-systemsquantum-mechanicsfusion-reactorsmulti-field-analysisUS nuclear fusion gets a 3D printing boost to fast-track construction
energynuclear-fusion3D-printingconstructionplasma-physicsmagnet-systemsNSTX-UUK fusion device gets heating components to withstand extreme temperature
fusionenergyplasma-heatingtokamakmaterialselectromagnetic-wavesnuclear-fusionFirst-ever liquid carbon created with lasers to boost fusion research
materialsnuclear-fusionliquid-carbonhigh-performance-laserscooling-agentsneutron-moderationextreme-conditionsUS’ laser-powered nuclear fusion achieves new net-positive energy records: Report
energynuclear-fusionlaser-technologypower-generationinertial-confinementenergy-yieldcontrolled-fusion