OpenStar Technologies, a private fusion company, has recently made strides in their exploration of the levitated dipole concept for commercial fusion energy production. Their team, led by Craig S. Chisholm and including researchers from various backgrounds, has designed and initiated experiments with a new generation levitated dipole device called “Junior.” This experiment leverages recent advances in high-temperature superconducting magnet technologies and integrates novel high-temperature superconductor power supply technology.
The Junior experiment houses a high-temperature superconducting magnet capable of generating a magnetic field of around 5.6 Tesla within a 5.2-meter vacuum chamber. Plasma heating in this setup is achieved using less than 50 kilowatts of electron cyclotron resonance heating power. The researchers completed their first experimental campaigns with Junior, achieving initial plasmas in late 2024. Full levitated system experiments are planned for 2025. The results from these initial experiments and planned improvements for future campaigns were detailed in a recent article published in the Journal of Plasma Physics.
The levitated dipole concept is a promising approach to achieving sustainable fusion reactions. In this design, a superconducting magnet is levitated within a vacuum chamber, creating a magnetic field that confines the hot plasma necessary for fusion. The use of high-temperature superconductors allows for more efficient and stable operation of the magnet, which is crucial for the practical application of fusion energy.
For the energy industry, advancements in fusion technology like those demonstrated by OpenStar’s Junior experiment could lead to significant breakthroughs. Fusion energy has the potential to provide a nearly limitless, clean, and safe source of power. Successful implementation of levitated dipole concepts could pave the way for commercial fusion power plants, offering a viable alternative to fossil fuels and contributing to global efforts to mitigate climate change. The practical applications of this research include the development of more efficient and cost-effective fusion reactors, which could revolutionize the energy sector by providing a sustainable and abundant energy source.
As the research progresses, the energy industry will be watching closely. The planned experiments for 2025 with the full levitated system will be particularly important, as they will provide further insights into the feasibility and scalability of the levitated dipole concept for commercial fusion energy production. The ongoing work by OpenStar Technologies and their team of researchers represents a significant step forward in the quest for practical fusion energy.
This article is based on research available at arXiv.