On December 12, 2023 Instituto Superior Técnico (IST) and General Fusion announced a collaboration agreement, through IST’s Institute for Plasmas and Nuclear Fusion (IPFN), to develop a key diagnostic for the company’s Magnetized Target Fusion technology. The custom diagnostic, being built in both Canada and Portugal, will unlock valuable new data about plasma density before its plasmas are compressed.

“We’re thrilled to contribute our expertise to their [General Fusion] diagnostics program”, says Bruno Soares Gonçalves, president of IPFN and a professor at Técnico. “Our team has been involved in fusion research for more than 30 years and is energized by the opportunity to support innovative projects that can push the commercialization of this transformational fusion energy technology, which can deliver the on-demand, zero-emissions power we need for a clean energy future.”

Plasmas must reach sufficient density, temperature, and energy confinement time for fusion to occur. The specialised device developed by General Fusion and IPFN experts will measure plasma density on PI3 and LM26, which is designed to achieve fusion conditions of over 100 million degrees Celsius by 2025, and progress toward scientific breakeven equivalent by 2026.

“Our project with the team at Técnico is an excellent example of the rapid innovation going on behind-the-scenes to make world-changing commercial fusion energy a reality”, said Greg Twinney, CEO of General Fusion. “By collaborating with Técnico, we are broadening our global network of top fusion scientists who are supporting us”, he added.