Nuclear Fusion… explained in 3 min
Read time: 3 min
Why is Nuclear Fusion so hot?
For a detailed 27-minute interactive session, listen to our discussion with Ben James.
It’s packed with insights 👇🏼
Fusion vs. Fission
Fusion is smashing small atoms together to form larger ones, releasing energy.
It’s cleaner than Fission, which splits atoms and produces long-lived radioactive waste.
With Fusion, there’s no dangerous waste. It's just pure energy.
The 5 Miracles to Unlock Fusion
Level 0: Energy Out > Energy In (Plasma)
Achieving more energy output than input in the plasma. This has been done only a few times, like in thermonuclear bomb tests and at the National Ignition Facility in California.
Level 1: Energy Out > Energy In (Whole Plant)
Generating net energy at the power plant level, not just the plasma level. Current experiments often require much more energy than they produce overall.
Level 2: Usable Electricity Output
Continuous and stable energy output. Most current fusion experiments are pulsed, not continuous. Plus, converting fusion-generated heat into electricity is crucial.
Level 3: Sustainable Fuel Cycle
Using tritium, the ideal fusion fuel, sustainably. Tritium is scarce and decaying, so reactors must breed more tritium than they consume, which is untested in real reactors.
Level 4: Cost-Competitive with Other Energy Sources
Achieving a cost that can compete with solar, wind, and other cheap energy sources. Fusion reactors are complex and likely expensive, similar to current nuclear fission plants.
Economic Viability and Policy
Fusion will be expensive.
Competing with cheap solar and wind is tough.
Startups seem better equipped to bring commercial-scale Fusion projects than government projects like ITER.
But we will need massive State-level subsidies to make it reach economies of scale.
Challenges in Fusion Reactor Design
Small Reactors: Tough as hell. Large plasmas are easier to confine. More particles, more energy, and less surface area for them to escape.
Temperature Balance: The center of your plasma is as hot as the sun. Balancing this with the super-cold superconducting magnets is a total nightmare.
Role of AI in Fusion Research
AI can explore vast design spaces and optimize parameters faster than humans.
While AI won’t design a fusion reactor solo, faster simulations accelerate development.
The Winning Horse in Fusion
Tokamaks seem ahead of the game in fusion.
But it’s only because we’ve been throwing massive amounts of money at Tokamaks since the 50s.
Yet, other wacky designs could surprise the world and overtake Tokamaks: Stellarators, Spheromaks, Z-Pinch, Polywell…
High risk, high reward.
VCs, this is where we need you 📣
Conclusion
Fusion holds the promise of an energy revolution.
While fusion could one day outshine fission and provide limitless clean energy, we’re still grappling with immense technical and economic challenges.
Investors, keep a keen eye on the fusion race.
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