WHAM: Realta achieves first plasma with 17 Tesla magnets in mirror fusion test
Realta Fusion and the University of Wisconsin–Madison successfully operated a plasma with a magnetic field strength of 17 Tesla using high-temperature superconducting (HTS) magnets in the WHAM experiment. This is a significant milestone towards commercial fusion energy.
The WHAM team, led by professor Cary Forest and scientist Jay Anderson, used superconducting magnets supplied by Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS) to achieve first plasma on July 15. The achievement demonstrates the potential of compact magnetic mirrors as a fusion energy system.
Realta’s CEO, Kieran Furlong, stated that this demonstration puts the compact magnetic mirror firmly back in the race towards commercial fusion energy, promising economically viable and zero-carbon heat and electricity.
The WHAM experiment began in 2020 as a partnership between UW–Madison, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and CFS. Realta Fusion was spun out of the WHAM project in 2022 and now operates as a public-private partnership with UW–Madison.
CFS designed and manufactured the magnets, which can reach magnetic fields of up to 20 Tesla on themselves, about 400,000 times stronger than Earth’s magnetic field. The company sees potential for revenue through its magnet technology, which uses HTS tape in self-contained systems.
Realta Fusion has been named one of eight awardees in the DOE’s Milestone-Based Fusion Development Program and is working towards demonstrating technical progress toward a commercially feasible compact magnetic mirror fusion energy system.
First plasma is just a start; many difficult technical questions still need to be answered. The team will focus on finding showstoppers, such as building strong magnets, increasing plasma stability, and confining the plasma.
Source: https://www.ans.org/news/article-6242/wham-realta-gets-first-plasma-with-17-tesla-magnets-in-mirror-fusion-test/