In a significant advancement for the energy sector, scientists have reached a new milestone in fusion energy, marking a world record in magnetic containment. Fusion, often hailed as the “holy grail” of energy, promises virtually limitless, zero-pollution power in a compact form, without reliance on regional resources.
The Wisconsin HTS Axisymmetric Mirror research team has achieved a breakthrough by creating and maintaining a plasma using a magnetic field strength of 17 Tesla, made possible through high-temperature superconductor magnets, according to Interesting Engineering. The project is a collaboration with Realta Fusion, Inc., a spin-off from UW-Madison that provides funding and support.
Jay Anderson, co-founder of Realta Fusion and a scientist at UW-Madison, highlighted that this achievement sets a new record for magnetic field strength in magnetically confined plasmas. The setup includes intense heating systems and serves as an educational tool for both graduate and undergraduate students.
This new design builds on the concept of the magnetic mirror, an older fusion device from the 1980s, now enhanced with powerful HTS magnets that trap energetic plasma in a “magnetic bottle” using advanced superconductor technology.
Fusion differs from the nuclear fission used in power plants. It involves fusing two atomic nuclei into a new atom, releasing an immense amount of energy, akin to the processes powering the sun.
Frank Laukien, a German-American physicist and entrepreneur, has emphasized fusion’s potential role in achieving a fully renewable energy supply, alongside solar and wind power. He views fusion as crucial for a decarbonized future.
The potential benefits of fusion are substantial, with projections suggesting that a single gram of fusion fuel could generate the same energy as 11 tons of coal, all without carbon emissions. Both the United States and Japan are investing in further development and commercialization of fusion technology.
Realta Fusion CEO Kieran Furlong expressed optimism about the progress: “Today’s demonstration reaffirms the compact magnetic mirror’s potential in the race towards commercial fusion energy. It’s a significant leap forward for a technology that promises economically viable, zero-carbon heat and electricity.”
While fusion holds great promise, as Laukien notes, advancing solar and wind energy projects remains essential to meet net-zero goals while fusion technology continues to evolve, with widespread use still several years away.
