What Motivated You to Build a Fusion Reactor?

Nuclear fusion seems to have been “twenty years away” forever, but recent advances could mean fusion is finally on its way to becoming part of our energy mix. Azeem Azhar speaks to Nick Hawker, co-founder and CEO of First Light Fusion, a UK-based company that uses an approach it calls “projectile fusion” to generate energy.

That method uses an electromagnetic launcher to fire material towards fuel at high speeds. Nick explains why it’s one of the most promising approaches to a problem that has puzzled physicists for decades. He breaks down the challenges, both extraordinary and mundane, that fusion experiments involve.

They also discuss:

• Why First Light Fusion’s system could generate power more efficiently than the sun.
• When the first fusion reactor could plug into an electrical grid.
• How many lasers it takes to turn on a light bulb.

@Azeem
@FLF_Nick

Further resources

Investing in Deep Tech for an Abundant Future (Exponential View Podcast, 2021)