First measurements of hydrogen-boron fusion in a magnetically confined fusion plasma

The company has announced, in collaboration with Japan’s National Institute for Fusion Science (NIFS), a noteworthy research advancement: the first-ever hydrogen-boron fusion experiments in a magnetically confined fusion plasma.

In a peer-reviewed paper published by Nature Communications (‘First measurements of p11B fusion in a magnetically confined plasma’), scientists explain the outcome of the nuclear fusion reaction of hydrogen-boron in an experiment in NIFS’ Large Helical Device (LHD). This paper describes the experimental work of producing the conditions necessary for hydrogen-boron fusion in the LHD plasma and TAE’s development of a detector to make measurements of the hydrogen-boron reaction products: helium nuclei, known as alpha particles. The finding reflects years of collaborative international scientific fusion research and represents a milestone in TAE’s mission to develop commercial fusion power with hydrogen-boron.

“This experiment offers us a wealth of data to work with, and shows that hydrogen-boron has a place in utility-scale fusion power. We know we can solve the physics challenge at hand and deliver a transformational new form of carbon-free energy to the world that relies on this non-radioactive, abundant fuel,” said Michl Binderbauer, CEO of TAE Technologies.

TAE is a private commercial fusion energy company, and this result represents an important step towards the development of hydrogen-boron fusion. In layperson’s terms, the company is one step closer to the realisation of a fusion power plant that will ultimately produce clean electricity, with only helium, also known as three alpha particles, as a by-product. These three alpha particles are the hallmark of hydrogen-boron fusion energy and inspired TAE’s founders to name the company Tri Alpha Energy, now TAE Technologies.