Zap Energy Achieves Major Breakthrough in Nuclear Fusion
Zap Energy has made a significant breakthrough in nuclear fusion. The company's Century test platform has successfully demonstrated deuterium-deuterium fusion using a novel combination of techniques. This marks the first time this specific method has been employed for such an achievement.
The platform, commissioned in 2024, uses Zap's sheared-flow-stabilized (SFS) Z-pinch method. This innovative approach does not require superconducting magnets or high-intensity lasers, making it more accessible and efficient.
The platform's power has steadily increased, from an initial average of ~1.4 kW in June 2024 to a recent operation of 30 kW. Each plasma pulse carried up to 500 kA of current, and heat was effectively captured by a circulating liquid metal wall. This design has proven successful in stabilizing thermal plasmas, a crucial step towards scalable energy gains.
Researchers from the University of British Columbia played a significant role in enhancing fusion events by an average of 15 percent. They achieved this through an electrochemical process, further boosting the platform's efficiency.
The Century platform operated for over 100 plasma shots at a frequency of 0.2 Hz, delivering a peak power of 39 kW. This impressive run was made possible by the platform's incorporation of a liquid metal loop, a custom 200-kW heat exchanger, a redesigned nose cone, and a high-flow cooling system.
Zap Energy's successful demonstration of deuterium-deuterium fusion using its unique SFS Z-pinch method is a significant milestone in the quest for clean, sustainable energy. The company plans to continue operating the platform to gather more data, paving the way for future fusion energy system development. With this achievement, Zap Energy is one step closer to making nuclear fusion a viable source of power.
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