The technological breakthrough achieved by the Israeli company nT-Tao marks a new step in the race for a clean and scalable energy source. Its prototype compact fusion reactor, known as C3, succeeded in generating plasma under controlled conditions just two months after the start of assembly. This operational stage positions the company at a key point to reach its goal of producing between 10 MW and 20 MW of power.
The presentation of the compact fusion reactor prototype.
The C3 system represents a direct evolution of the C2-A experimental model, which had reached plasma temperatures close to 100 eV. In this new phase, improvements in magnets, diagnostics, pulsed power and subsystem integration have been integrated to optimize plasma performance under high density regimes.
The company adopts an iterative engineering approach that combines simulation, manufacturing and experimental validation in 12-month cycles. This model allows for rapid adaptation of the hardware according to the data obtained, with the aim of accelerating the transition to functional energy systems.
One of the most outstanding technical elements of the system is its pulsed power control architecture, developed together with researchers from Ben-Gurion University. This technology allows electrical resonance to be maintained during plasma formation and heating. plasma heatingeven under dynamic RLC loads varying on microsecond scales.
The implementation of a nonlinear controller with feedback improves the energy efficiency of the coupling and reduces the risk of damage to the subsystems. This real-time adaptive capability also decreases the amount of testing required, increasing the efficiency of lab time.
The reactor design is intended for distributed applications, from industrial facilities to remote locations. Unlike other large-scale fusion projects, nT-Tao’s solution is characterized by its compact and modular format, allowing on-site installation without the need for massive infrastructure.
Source and photo: nT- Tao