• OpenStar demonstrates dipole fusion reactor concept OpenStar is the only company developing a levitated dipole reactor for commercial purposes. • In other fusion concepts, the energetic plasma is contained by superconducting magnets pushing the magnetic fields they produce inwards. • OpenStar’s approach inverts that process. • More traditional fusion machines - such as tokamaks and stellarators - feature multiple superconducting magnets to produce a complex magnetic field. • In contrast, the levitated dipole uses a single magnet to confine a plasma in a much simpler configuration. • At the heart of the machine is a powerful magnet that floats freely in a vacuum chamber, held in place by another magnet above it.

Article Summaries:

  • OpenStar is the only company developing a levitated dipole reactor for commercial purposes. In other fusion concepts, the energetic plasma is contained by superconducting magnets pushing the magnetic fields they produce inwards. OpenStar’s approach inverts that process. More traditional fusion machines - such as tokamaks and stellarators - feature multiple superconducting magnets to produce a complex magnetic field. In contrast, the levitated dipole uses a single magnet to confine a plasma in a much simpler configuration. At the heart of the machine is a powerful magnet that floats freely in a

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