From KMS Fusion to HB11 Energy, Xcimer Energy, and Fuse Federal USA; A 50 Year Inertial Fusion Energy Perspective

Dr. Tom Mehlhorn – University of Michigan
From KMS Fusion to HB11 Energy, Xcimer Energy, and Fuse Federal USA; A 50 Year Inertial Fusion Energy Perspective
The achievement of ignition and gain on NIF has validated the scientific basis of inertial confinement fusion (ICF).
The Department of Energy (DOE) and venture capital funded private companies are again interested in inertial fusion energy (IFE). The new DOE Milestone-Based Fusion Development Program and other Federal programs are creating public–private partnerships to accelerate progress toward fusion pilot plants.
The U.S. leads in ICF, but the race to develop the first IFE power plant is an international competition. Private companies will need to play a leading role in developing the necessary technologies.
This talk will provide a 50-year perspective as well as discuss promising strategies for the U.S. IFE program from both public and private viewpoints. It will also describe the research of three companies that I am advising: HB11 Energy Pty Ltd. (aneutronic proton–boron fuel cycle), 2) Xcimer Energy (IFE technology to achieve high laser energies), and 3) Fuse Federal (next generation pulsed power technologies for both defense and energy applications).
Speaker(s): Tom,
Agenda:
3PM: Welcome and Introductions
3:10PM: Lecture
3:45PM: Q&A
Virtual: https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/442408