Fusion energy technology development company Stellarex, a spin out of US Princeton University, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Germany’s Max-Planck-Institute for Plasma Physics (IPP) that provides a framework for scientific and academic cooperation in developing stellarator-based fusion energy production. Stellarex and IPP will partner in specific areas of fusion energy science and technology, including the optimisation of plasma confinement and power/particle control.
Like the tokamak, the stellarator uses large superconducting magnets to suspend hydrogen plasma and heat it to the temperatures and pressures needed to fuse hydrogen into helium. However, while the tokamak confines plasma in a doughnut shaped torus, the stellarator traps the plasma in a twisting spiral shape, which is designed to cancel out instabilities in the suspended plasma.
“The W7-X stellarator at IPP is a world-leading experimental facility, with a very capable team, and optimised properties and extensive diagnostics, that can help validate stellarator power plant performance in key areas required for a commercial device,” said Dr Mike Zarnstorff, Chief Technology Officer at Stellarex. “We look forward to working with our fusion colleagues at IPP to advance stellarator physics and engineering further.”
“IPP has been involved in the development of stellarators since the 1960s. The institute has fundamentally advanced both the physical understanding and the technology. With Wendelstein 7-X in Greifswald, IPP now operates the largest and most powerful stellarator experiment in the world,” said Professor Dr Per Helander, Head of IPP’s Stellarator Theory Division. “We are pleased to be driving this development forward together with the experts from Stellarex.”
Professor Amitava Bhattacharjee, President & Chief Science Officer of Stellarex noted: “Since our founding in 2022, Stellarex has been laying the technical foundations for commercialisation of fusion energy and delivery for our stellarator design. We are delighted to be collaborating with the Max-Planck-Institute, where our combined expertise in stellarator fusion energy operations and the theory and computational design of stellarators will provide foundational support for development initiatives. The Stellarex mission is to accelerate the time to market for commercial fusion energy.”
