1
Country: China | Funding: CN¥2.4B
NovaFusionX is developing small modular fusion reactors using a field-reversed configuration (FRC) approach. By using magnetic compression technology to increase the density and break through the threshold of fusion conditions, the system does not need to rely on ultra-high-power lasers. At the same time, through modular design, it effectively avoids a series of key technical challenges faced by tokamak reactors. Thus (according to the startup) the construction cost and R&D cycle of the nuclear fusion power plant can achieve double significant breakthroughs, and it is expected to enter the commercialization stage earlier in a shorter time.
NovaFusionX is developing small modular fusion reactors using a field-reversed configuration (FRC) approach. By using magnetic compression technology to increase the density and break through the threshold of fusion conditions, the system does not need to rely on ultra-high-power lasers. At the same time, through modular design, it effectively avoids a series of key technical challenges faced by tokamak reactors. Thus (according to the startup) the construction cost and R&D cycle of the nuclear fusion power plant can achieve double significant breakthroughs, and it is expected to enter the commercialization stage earlier in a shorter time.
2
Country: China
Hanhai Energy is developing FRC nuclear fusion reactor HHMAX-901 that costs only about 200 million RMB to build, far lower than the tokamak unit. More importantly, key components of the device can be reused into the next generation, meaning we can iterate engineering faster and adapt to technological innovation. The startup backed is by top national research teams such as the Southwest Institute of Physics and the China Academy of Engineering Physics, and leveraging China’s systematic industrial support for precision processing and high-end devices
Hanhai Energy is developing FRC nuclear fusion reactor HHMAX-901 that costs only about 200 million RMB to build, far lower than the tokamak unit. More importantly, key components of the device can be reused into the next generation, meaning we can iterate engineering faster and adapt to technological innovation. The startup backed is by top national research teams such as the Southwest Institute of Physics and the China Academy of Engineering Physics, and leveraging China’s systematic industrial support for precision processing and high-end devices
3
Country: USA | Funding: $1.5B
TAE Technologies is on a course to commercial fusion energy. It's fusion machine design is compact and linear so a commercial fusion power plant would be easily expandable for mass manufacturing. TAE is pursuing fusion with hydrogen-boron (a.k.a. p-B11 or p11B) because it is plentiful and radiation-free, making it the most sustainable option for running and maintaining commercial fusion power plants. TAE’s method to generate fusion power is called Advanced beam-driven Field-Reversed Configuration (FRC). All together, TAE’s approach to fusion can deliver a affordable product that has high energy density, high availability of fuel and no risk of pollution, proliferation, breakdown or toxic waste, making it the ultimate clean energy source.
TAE Technologies is on a course to commercial fusion energy. It's fusion machine design is compact and linear so a commercial fusion power plant would be easily expandable for mass manufacturing. TAE is pursuing fusion with hydrogen-boron (a.k.a. p-B11 or p11B) because it is plentiful and radiation-free, making it the most sustainable option for running and maintaining commercial fusion power plants. TAE’s method to generate fusion power is called Advanced beam-driven Field-Reversed Configuration (FRC). All together, TAE’s approach to fusion can deliver a affordable product that has high energy density, high availability of fuel and no risk of pollution, proliferation, breakdown or toxic waste, making it the ultimate clean energy source.
4
Country: USA | Funding: $1.5B
Helion Energy uses fusion energy to provide pure, safe electricity. Helion's fusion generator elevates fusion (Deuterium and helium-3) fuel to ultra-high temperatures to achieve plasma conditions and directly obtains electricity with a high-efficiency pulsed approach. Magnets confine the plasma in a Field Reversed Configuration and speed up two FRCs to 1 million mph from opposite ends of the generator. When the FRCs collide in the center of the system, they are further compressed by a strong magnetic field until they reach fusion temperatures greater than 100M degrees Celsius (150M already achieved). At this temperature, the deuterium and helium-3 ions are moving fast enough to surpass the forces that would otherwise keep them apart, and they fuse. This emits more energy than is consumed by the fusion process.
Helion Energy uses fusion energy to provide pure, safe electricity. Helion's fusion generator elevates fusion (Deuterium and helium-3) fuel to ultra-high temperatures to achieve plasma conditions and directly obtains electricity with a high-efficiency pulsed approach. Magnets confine the plasma in a Field Reversed Configuration and speed up two FRCs to 1 million mph from opposite ends of the generator. When the FRCs collide in the center of the system, they are further compressed by a strong magnetic field until they reach fusion temperatures greater than 100M degrees Celsius (150M already achieved). At this temperature, the deuterium and helium-3 ions are moving fast enough to surpass the forces that would otherwise keep them apart, and they fuse. This emits more energy than is consumed by the fusion process.
