Fusion News – Details, episodes & analysis

Dr. Cyd Cowley, Fusion Solutions Engineer, gives today's Fusion News update - summarizing the major recent headlines in fusion energy. Links to all of the stories mentioned are included below. 1. Inside China’s race to lead the world in nuclear fusion https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-02759-x 2. STEP forward to fusion https://royalsociety.org/blog/2024/08/step-forward-to-fusion/ 3. DOE awards $4.6M for fusion research https://www.neimagazine.com/news/doe-awards-4-6m-for-fusion-research/ 4. The UK nuclear fusion start-up helping the US develop stealth submarines https://www.ft.com/content/570267a4-657e-4c6b-805d-7b29a637e546 Bonus: Opinion | The world-saving potential of nuclear fusion just got a huge boost. https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2024/08/20/artificial-intelligence-nuclear-fusion-research/ FIA List of Fusion Events at NYC Climate Week Events https://x.com/Fusion_Industry/status/1826692360627257631

Dr. Leigh Ann Kesler, fusion consultant, gives today's Fusion News update - summarizing the major recent headlines in fusion energy. Links to all of the stories mentioned are included below. 1. Bill Gates-backed Type One Energy lands massive seed extension to commercialize fusion power https://techcrunch.com/2024/07/30/bill-gates-backed-type-one-energy-lands-massive-seed-extension-to-commercialize-fusion-power/ 2. South Korea to invest $866M in fusion energy development https://www.neimagazine.com/news/south-korea-to-invest-866m-in-fusion-energy-development/ 3. Fusion Closer to Reality as Scientists Smash Density Limit by Factor of 10 https://www.sciencealert.com/fusion-closer-to-reality-as-scientists-smash-density-limit-by-factor-of-10 4. Helion secures license for Polaris fusion https://www.neimagazine.com/news/helion-secures-licence-to-advance-polaris-fusion-facility/ 5. Nuclear fusion prototype will be 'UK's Nasa moment' https://bbc.com/news/articles/c80e86d1kl3o Bonus: The secret force for limitless energy? Lasers - TED Talk by Tammy Ma https://www.ted.com/talks/tammy_ma_the_secret_force_for_limitless_energy_lasers?utm_campaign=tedspread&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=tedcomshare Celebrating ignition through art at City Center Bishop Ranch https://www.llnl.gov/article/51456/celebrating-ignition-through-art-city-center-bishop-ranch Zap Energy targets fusion power without magnets, Claudia de Rham on the beauty of gravity https://physicsworld.com/a/zap-energy-targets-fusion-power-without-magnets-claudia-de-rham-on-the-beauty-of-gravity/#:~:text=At%20zap%20energy%2C%20which%20is,about%20her%20career%20in%20research.

Fusion News: January 10, 2024

Jasmine Mund, a graduate mechanical engineer, gives the first fusion news update of 2024. Links to all the stories mentioned are included below. FIA 2024 Policy Conference - March 20-21, Washington DC: https://www.fusionindustryassociation.org/fia-annual-conference-2024/ China Seeks Nuclear Fusion Leap Through New R&D Company: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-01-02/china-seeks-nuclear-fusion-leap-through-new-r-d-company 2. Sustained 'Artificial Sun' Promised by 2026 in Fusion Energy Upgrade: https://www.newsweek.com/sustained-artificial-sun-fusion-energy-1857042 3. Opening the Magnetic Bottle of a Tokamak Causes Particles to Rush Inward: https://www.energy.gov/science/fes/articles/opening-magnetic-bottle-tokamak-causes-particles-rush-inward#:~:text=Opening%20the%20Magnetic%20Bottle%20of%20a%20Tokamak%20Causes%20Particles%20to%20Rush%20Inward,-January%202%2C%202024&text=The%20evolution%20over%20time%20of,reduce%2C%20and%20the%20density%20increases. 4. JET to be repurposed after delivering final plasma: https://www.neimagazine.com/news/newsjet-to-be-repurposed-after-delivering-final-plasma-11405916 5. US fusion energy dreams edge closer to reality, Congress permitting: https://www.theregister.com/2024/01/02/fusions_future_is_looking_bright/ Bonuses: 1. EU and Japan celebrate start of operations of the JT-60SA fusion reactor and reaffirm close cooperation on fusion energy: https://energy.ec.europa.eu/news/eu-and-japan-celebrate-start-operations-jt-60sa-fusion-reactor-and-reaffirm-close-cooperation-fusion-2023-12-01_en#:~:text=General%20for%20Energy-,EU%20and%20Japan%20celebrate%20start%20of%20operations%20of%20the%20JT,close%20cooperation%20on%20fusion%20energy&text=The%20EU%20and%20Japan%20have,located%20in%20Ibaraki%20Prefecture%2C%20Japan. 2. UKAEA awards £7.4m to develop lithium technologies for fusion: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ukaea-awards-74m-to-develop-lithium-technologies-for-fusion#:~:text=UKAEA%20has%20awarded%20%C2%A37.4,sustainable%20fusion%20energy%20fuel%20cycle.&text=Lithium%20technologies%20are%20being%20developed,a%20fusion%20energy%20fuel%20cycle. 3. Inside the world's first reactor that will power Earth using the same nuclear reaction as the Sun: https://www.euronews.com/next/2023/12/26/inside-the-worlds-first-reactor-that-will-power-earth-using-the-same-nuclear-reaction-as-t 4. The need for fusion - with the UK Atomic Energy Authority: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_XZ-nh_Be4 5. Is nuclear fusion the future of clean energy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WuOBR7t1mG8

Fusion News: November 29, 2023

Jasmine Mund, a graduate mechanical engineer, gives today's global fusion news update. Links to all the stories mentioned are included below. 1. US to announce global nuclear fusion strategy at COP28: https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/climate-energy/us-announce-nuclear-fusion-strategy-cop28-2023-11-20/#:~:text=WASHINGTON%2C%20Nov%2020%20(Reuters),familiar%20with%20the%20announcement%20said. 2. Chantilly startup NearStar Fusion is developing a new form of energy tech: https://technical.ly/startups/nearstar-energy-tech/ 3. NTT adapts AI network analysis tool to detect faults in nuclear fusion reactors: https://www.theregister.com/2023/11/23/ntt_ai_nuclear_fusion_control/ 4. EU Parliament includes nuclear in Net-Zero Industry Act: https://www.neimagazine.com/news/newseu-parliament-includes-nuclear-in-net-zero-industry-act-11322086 Bonuses: 1. Mapping Europe’s nuclear fusion: industryhttps://sifted.eu/articles/mapping-europes-nuclear-fusion-industry 2. Supermagnets changing the rules of nuclear fusion: https://asiatimes.com/2023/11/supermagnets-changing-the-rules-of-nuclear-fusion/ 3. What’s coming next for fusion research: https://www.technologyreview.com/2023/11/16/1083491/whats-coming-next-for-fusion-research/#:~:text=The%20dream%20of%20fusion%20power%20isn't%20going%20away%2C%20as,online%20as%20soon%20as%202028. 4. Oxfordshire Advanced Skills centre completes expansion, launching new opportunities for apprentices: https://ccfe.ukaea.uk/oxfordshire-advanced-skills-centre-completes-expansion-launching-new-opportunities-for-apprentices/ 5. Fusion industry has ambitious plans for 2035, rounding out this year’s Nobel prizes: https://physicsworld.com/a/fusion-industry-has-ambitious-plans-for-2035-rounding-out-this-years-nobel-prizes/#:~:text=Today%2C%20there%20is%20also%20a,to%20the%20grid%20by%202035.

Fusion News: November 15, 2023

Dr. Leigh Ann Kesler, a nuclear engineer and fusion consultant specializing in science communication, gives an update on the global development of fusion energy. Links to all the stories mentioned are given below. 1. First plasma fired up at world’s largest fusion reactor: https://www.science.org/content/article/first-plasma-fired-world-s-largest-fusion-reactor 2. Fusion Diary: the spherical tokamak story: https://asiatimes.com/2023/11/fusion-diary-the-spherical-tokamak-story/ 3. Focused Energy Partners with LLNL on a Target Design for Inertial Fusion Energy: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231107594701/en/Focused-Energy-Partners-with-LLNL-on-a-Target-Design-for-Inertial-Fusion-Energy 4. Petition calls on UK to save JET fusion experiment from closure: https://physicsworld.com/a/petition-calls-on-uk-to-save-jet-fusion-experiment-from-closure/#:~:text=More%20than%20750%20people%20have,fusion%20reactor%20in%20early%202024. 5. Joint Statement Between DOE and the UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero Concerning a Strategic Partnership to Accelerate Fusion: https://www.energy.gov/articles/joint-statement-between-doe-and-uk-department-energy-security-and-net-zero-concerning#:~:text=The%20U.S.%20Department%20of%20Energy,and%20commercialization%20of%20fusion%20energy. Bonuses: 1. Nuclear fusion, new drugs, better batteries: how AI will transform science: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/audio/2023/nov/02/nuclear-fusion-new-drugs-better-batteries-how-ai-will-transform-science-podcast 2. Pursuing fusion power: https://knowablemagazine.org/article/physical-world/2023/the-challenge-of-fusion-power 3. China completes ITER magnet support components: https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/Articles/China-completes-ITER-magnet-support-components

Fusion News: November 1, 2023

Jasmine Mund, a graduate mechanical engineer, gives today's global fusion news update. Links to all the stories mentioned are included below. 1. CEO appointed to deliver UK prototype fusion energy plant: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ceo-appointed-to-deliver-uk-prototype-fusion-energy-plant#:~:text=Minister%20for%20Nuclear%20and%20Networks%2C%20Andrew%20Bowie%20MP%2C%20has%20announced,built%20at%20West%20Burton%2C%20Nottinghamshire. 2. New IAEA Initiative to Enhance Fusion Energy Collaboration: https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/news/new-iaea-initiative-to-enhance-fusion-energy-collaboration 3. Helical Fusion selected for Japanese grant: https://www.neimagazine.com/news/newshelical-fusion-selected-for-japanese-grant-11234386 4. New Fusion Futures Programme gets £650m injection: https://www.theengineer.co.uk/content/news/new-fusion-futures-programme-gets-650m-injection/#:~:text=A%20major%20new%20funding%20package,new%20fuel%20cycle%20testing%20facility.&text=The%20%C2%A3650m%20Fusion%20Futures,by%20Nuclear%20Minister%20Andrew%20Bowie. 5. General Fusion and TRIUMF sign MOU to develop key technologies for new LM26 fusion machine: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/general-fusion-triumf-sign-mou-130000220.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAACggZj94ruLXWOCx-otAqqToeIXdq0PnL1H1YaV1GROOFP9hZN_nMJyucpmnHFcXmb5zM-Uvw79omwF_m_xT3IWN2gUErstpFL7WFnzJRQ-Wi-qJ62526ew_g2CpmdckXe4KNDu3BYW1jxvzGSN5u0zjueM50-j4lbP4cEAtoAA6 Bonuses: 1. California recognises fusion energy as distinct from nuclear fission: https://www.neimagazine.com/news/newscalifornia-recognises-fusion-energy-as-distinct-from-nuclear-fission-11228490#:~:text=California%20recognises%20fusion%20energy%20as%20distinct%20from%20nuclear%20fission,-18%20October%202023&text=California%20Governor%20Gavin%20Newsom%20has,technology%20from%20traditional%20nuclear%20fission. 2. Construction of new fusion facility begins in Spain: https://www.neimagazine.com/news/newsconstruction-of-new-fusion-facility-begins-in-spain-11213452#:~:text=Construction%20has%20started%20on%20the,in%20future%20fusion%20power%20reactors. 3. UK, Japan, and Canada Publish Fusion Regulatory Framework Recommendations: https://www.fusionindustryassociation.org/uk-japan-and-canada-publish-fusion-regulatory-framework-recommendations/ 4. Five New Fusion Prospects, Minus the Neutrons: https://spectrum.ieee.org/aneutronic-fusion?utm_campaign=climatetechsub

October 18, 2023

Fusion News

Jeff Peachman, a graduate student at the University of Washington, shares exciting updates on recent developments in fusion energy. Links to all the stories mentioned are included below. 1. Laser-fusion experiment squeezes out even more energy: https://www.science.org/content/article/laser-fusion-experiment-squeezes-out-even-more-energy#:~:text=Built%20for%20%243.5%20billion%2C%20NIF,about%20three%20sticks%20of%20dynamite. 2. Fueling the Future of Fusion Energy: https://www.newswise.com/doescience/fueling-the-future-of-fusion-energy/?article_id=800636#:~:text=Jefferson%20Lab%20is%20on%20the,akin%20to%20a%20spinning%20top 3. Pivotal Discovery Signals a Huge Leap Forward in Fusion Energy Reactor Progress: https://scitechdaily.com/pivotal-discovery-signals-a-huge-leap-forward-in-fusion-energy-reactor-progress/#:~:text=Pivotal%20Discovery%20Signals%20a%20Huge%20Leap%20Forward%20in%20Fusion%20Energy%20Reactor%20Progress,-TOPICS%3ADOEEnergy&text=A%20team%20of%20researchers%20has,damaging%20cycle%20of%20runaway%20electrons 4. JET experiments to test electronics in fusion environments: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/jet-experiments-to-test-electronics-in-fusion-environments Bonuses: 1. SHINE raises $70M in state’s largest deal of the year so far: https://www.wisbusiness.com/2023/shine-raises-70m-in-states-largest-deal-of-the-year-so-far/ 2. Tokamak Energy's upgrades bring us closer to clean energy: https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/tokamak-energy-nuclar-fusion-energy-plant 3. 29th IAEA Fusion Energy Conference (FEC 2023): https://www.iaea.org/events/fec2023 4. Preface to the Special Issue: The Emergence of Private Fusion Enterprises: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10894-023-00386-4#:~:text=Over%20the%20last%20decade%2C%20a,plans%20for%20commercializing%20fusion%20energy.

Fusion News: October 4, 2023

Alexander Behzadi, an environmental scientist and recent graduate from the St. Mary University of Maryland, gives today's global fusion news update. Links to all the stories mentioned are included below. 1. A Futuristic Plan to Make Steel With Nuclear Fusion: https://www.wsj.com/business/a-futuristic-plan-to-make-steel-with-nuclear-fusion-2a18ac35 2. The Zap Energy approach to commercial fusion: https://pubs.aip.org/aip/pop/article/30/9/090603/2911595/The-Zap-Energy-approach-to-commercial-fusion?searchresult=1 3. Germany holds fusion hearing after funding and strategy announcements: https://www.fusionindustryassociation.org/germany-holds-fusion-hearing-after-funding-and-strategy-announcements/ 4. SUPERCONDUCTING MAGNETS AS A CATALYST: https://www.iter.org/newsline/-/3929 Bonuses: 1. All-In Summit: Nuclear fusion and the potential for energy abundance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIPULlqA5Wc 2. U.S. aims to create nuclear fusion facility within 10 years, Energy chief says: https://www.nbcnews.com/science/science-news/us-aims-create-nuclear-fusion-facility-10-years-energy-chief-says-rcna117340?ex=digest 3. Fusion is almost here: This is no time for Congress to shortchange research funding: https://thehill.com/opinion/technology/4212327-fusion-is-almost-here-this-is-no-time-for-congress-to-shortchange-research-funding/

Fusion News: September 20, 2023

Cyd Cowley, a PhD student studying at the University of York and working at the Culham Centre for Fusion Energy, gives today's global fusion news update. Links to all the stories mentioned are included below. 1. Government announces up to £650 million for UK alternatives to Euratom R&T: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-announces-up-to-650-million-for-uk-alternatives-to-euratom-rt 2. Germany plans to spend more than €1 bln on nuclear fusion research by 2028: https://www.cleanenergywire.org/news/germany-plans-spend-more-eu1-bln-nuclear-fusion-research-2028 3. Machine learning hunts for the right mix of hydrogen isotopes for future nuclear fusion power plants: https://phys.org/news/2023-09-machine-hydrogen-isotopes-future-nuclear.html 4. Tokamak Energy's Demo4 powers ahead with cryogenic success: https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/fusion-energy-tokamak-energy-demo4-cryogenic Bonuses: https://newsroom.unsw.edu.au/news/science-tech/world-first-fusion-device-be-built-unsw-sydney#:~:text=Tokamak%20technology,point%20nuclear%20fusion%20is%20possible. https://shows.acast.com/heritage-events/episodes/the-power-hour-fusion-the-other-solar-energy

Fusion News: September 6, 2023

Alexander Behzadi, an environmental scientist and recent graduate from the St. Mary University of Maryland, gives today's global fusion news update. Links to all the stories mentioned are included below. 1. Nuclear fusion: Chinese power firm hails step forward in quest to build ‘artificial sun’ https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3232459/nuclear-fusion-chinese-power-firm-hails-step-forward-quest-build-artificial-sun 2. First Light Fusion - First Light Fusion and Sandia National Laboratories announce new collaboration to test amplifier technology on the Z Machine https://www.ipgroupplc.com/news-and-events/portfolio-news/2023/2023-08-29b 3. Testing of ITER wall panel under way https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/Articles/Testing-of-ITER-wall-panels-under-way 4. The Role of Peel-Resistant Protective Layers in Fusion Reactors https://www.azom.com/news.aspx?newsID=61801#:~:text=Developing%20a%20small%2C%20peel%2Dresistant,as%20liquid%20blankets%20and%20divertors. Bonuses: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRaQLZaaHWo https://techcrunch.com/2023/08/24/fusion-power-challenges-founder-survey/?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAE9UWpReyAIQVA4vcXHkeol3hJMqh5MU_ksaRBYS3FckkpLxBqL1rpX2IxwsN4-oIO2TjiPYBarazWknMTvDDfW_8vbRbDi7n6XDvnEH5trl21buRePx5UUT9mja0fvdfXgBBYE6YTe3irNoY5wUzMkkSKfJa_02588RCxnk_FKs