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New Zealand Startup Achieves World-First Levitated Magnet Plasma Confinement
OpenStar's $10 million prototype levitated a 0.5-tonne magnet and confined plasma above 1,000,000°C, advancing fusion tech with potential for compact, cost-effective reactors.
- Earlier this month, New Zealand startup OpenStar Technologies confined plasma heated over 1,000,000 degrees Celsius using the $10,000,000 prototype `Junior` and levitated a 0.5-tonne superconducting magnet inside a 5-meter vacuum chamber at its Wellington facility.
- The company says its levitated dipole design uses a magnet inside plasma, reversing tokamak practice and is modeled on planetary magnetic fields, building on October 2024 supported-plasma tests.
- Engineers swapped mechanical supports for an automated levitation system, reducing heat loss and plasma instability while suspending the magnet to generate the magnetic field.
- Regional Development Minister Shane Jones announced today a loan through the Regional Infrastructure Fund to support OpenStar Technologies, which has raised $12 million and plans two prototypes over two to four years.
- Industry-Wide, more than 50 companies are competing and the prototype energy balance is not net-positive, while the Fusion Industry Association reports more than $7.1 billion in funding.
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Ratu Mataira: OpenStar Technologies CEO on their successful step towards nuclear fusion - The Mike Hosking Breakfast
Kiwi company OpenStar Technologies has taken a serious step forward in the global race towards nuclear fusion. Backed by $35 million in government funding, they’ve successfully levitated a half tonne superconducting magnet, confining a cloud of ultra-hot plasma. It’s a key milestone in recreating the same process that powers the sun – ultimately producing carbon-free energy. CEO Dr Ratu Mataira told Mike Hosking now they’ve proven the eng…
·Cherokee County, United States
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources14
Leaning Left4Leaning Right2Center3Last UpdatedBias Distribution45% Left
Bias Distribution
- 45% of the sources lean Left
45% Left
L 45%
C 33%
R 22%
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