UK-based energy technology startup First Light Fusion has announced a breakthrough for its novel nuclear fusion technology. A spin-off from the University of Oxford, First Light has successfully tested its “electric gun” to ignite fuel in its test reactor’s core.at its American test facility, brings sustainable nuclear fusion closer to reality. By using this electric gun, the company has managed to increase the distance its reaction-starting projectile travels by a factor of 10.
“This creates the extreme temperatures and pressures required to achieve fusion by compressing a target containing fusion fuel using a projectile traveling at a tremendous speed. “The challenge is to be able to launch a projectile accurately, at velocities of several kilometers per second, while keeping it in a solid state when it hits the fusion fuel. This is a major challenge in First Light’s approach with its pilot power plant design requiring the projectile to be fired at very high speeds and accuracy,” First Light explained.However, this is only part of the journey for First Light with its novel reactors.