The Biological Theory That Explains Why Investors Are Bullish on Fusion

The Biological Theory That Explains Why Investors Are Bullish on Fusion

For a field that has existed for more than 60 years, a lot has happened in fusion research in the last half-decade. In fusion’s case, a trio of technological advances converged in the early 2010s to unleash a wave of innovation. “I think you see this beautiful inflection point in this field where the science maturity and technical capability come together,” said Michl Binderbauer, CEO of TAE Technologies.

Nuclear Fusion Powers Stars. Could It One Day Electrify Earth?

Nuclear Fusion Powers Stars. Could It One Day Electrify Earth?

Some companies are exploring different fuels as well as different designs. California-based TAE Technologies, which has been in business since 1998, is building a nuclear reactor that’s designed to fuse hydrogen with boron-11 by colliding plasma “smoke rings” inside a long, cigar-shaped chamber. This setup would need to hit temperatures even higher than those in tokamaks. But if scaled-up versions work, they could generate electricity without the neutron fusillade.