Pulsed power machine aims to trigger fusion reaction for Oxford spin-out

Fusion, the process that powers the Sun, involves fusing two lighter atomic nuclei to form a single heavier one, releasing huge amounts of energy in the process. It is seen as a potentially limitless source of cheap, carbon-free energy, since its main fuel is a heavy isotope of hydrogen called deuterium, contained in sea water.

However, despite decades of experiments around the world, no organisation has yet been able to produce a self-sustaining fusion reaction capable of generating more energy than it consumes.

Now Oxford-based First Light Fusion, which is investigating energy generation from a process known as inertial confinement fusion, is investing £3.6m in a machine designed to trigger a reaction at a much lower cost than existing technology.

Their approach is inspired by the pistol shrimp, which clicks its claw to produce a shockwave that stuns its prey – the only known example of inertial confinement found on Earth.