Speaker
Description
OpenStar is advancing fusion energy generation through the development of a levitated dipole reactor, building on the Levitated Dipole Experiment (LDX) concept. This approach integrates high-temperature superconducting (HTS) magnets with an onboard superconducting power supply.
Having successfully demonstrated the feasibility of integrating HTS magnets into the levitated dipole concept, OpenStar now focuses on an accelerated roadmap toward practical fusion energy. The levitated dipole concept features a highly decoupled system comprising a magnet and a reaction container, enabling rapid iteration of magnet technologies without requiring significant modifications to the reactor's core components.
However, the pace of magnet technology development towards high performance, and the progress of plasma science, is inherently tied to the production timeline of innovative and gradually stronger magnets. To address this challenge, OpenStar prioritizes rapid iterations of magnets and their associated onboard technologies. Over the past two and a half years, OpenStar has successfully constructed two magnets and plans to deliver two more within the next 18 months.
These new magnets will feature improved levitation times (less than 2 hours) and/or enhanced magnetic field strengths, all leveraging coil-based technology. These magnets will be designed with modularity features and standardized interfaces for the surrounding systems to further support rapid iteration and innovation of magnet related technologies.
This presentation will highlight OpenStar's advancements in coil-based HTS magnet technologies, showcasing their role in developing a rapid technology platform. It will also explore the design and the contribution in accelerating fusion technology development of four conduction-cooled magnet designs, operating at temperatures ranging from 25K to 50K, achieving magnetic field strength from 3T to 12T, and current range from 700A to approximately 2 kA.
