Novatron was among the 30 private fusion initiatives that participated in the Inaugural Private Sector Fusion Workshop, held from May 27 to 29 in Cadarache, France, at the ITER Organization headquarters.
Erik Oden, the co-founder and chairman of the company, showcased Novatron’s distinctive fusion approach and the progress it has achieved so far.
Similar to any new technology, each company has its own vision for developing fusion into a commercially viable source. However, they all kickstart the process by creating plasma, the fourth state of matter.
While the majority of matter on Earth exists in solid, liquid, or gas states, plasma, composed of charged particles (ions and electrons), dominates the universe. The sun’s hydrogen, in a plasma state, generates most of the energy in the solar system through fusion reactions.
Magnetic mirror machines
Novatron represents a modern iteration of a magnetic mirror machine, a design initially demonstrated in 1955 at what is now the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. The concept involves positioning two large magnets to reflect charged particles within strong magnetic fields.
Oden highlights the advantages of the magnetic mirror approach, such as cost-effectiveness, easy fueling, continuous operation, and high beta, optimizing plasma pressure against magnetic pressure for enhanced output.
Traditional mirror machines face challenges like instability and poor confinement time. Novatron’s solution, an axisymmetric tandem mirror (ATM), combines magnetic mirrors and biconic cusps for stability and improved confinement.
The unique magnetic field configuration of Novatron’s design offers excellent confinement and stability, making it a promising contender in the fusion energy landscape.
The power of computer simulations
Novatron follows a phased approach in their fusion project, starting with simulations to refine their architecture and progressing towards a commercial fusion reactor in the future.
The company relies on advanced computer simulations, utilizing the WarpX platform for validating their approach. The simulations demonstrate the stability and efficiency of Novatron’s design compared to traditional mirror machines.
Novatron’s simulations indicate a significant improvement in energy confinement time, promising a more effective fusion process.
A series of experimental machines
Novatron is currently commissioning its first experimental reactor, Novatron 1, in Stockholm, with plans for Novatron 2 and Novatron 3 in the pipeline. The company aims to achieve fusion conditions by 2027 and commercial viability by the 2030s.
Novatron envisions its unique fusion architecture becoming a leading source of clean, safe, and abundant energy globally, with Novatron 4 slated to be a full-fledged fusion reactor for commercial power generation.
