Laser fusion energy company HB11 Energy has signed an $8.2 million agreement with Defence Trailblazer to commercialise the world’s first-of-a-kind laser developed by the DualTech-USPL research group at the University of Adelaide.
This landmark partnership will, in the short term, result in a demonstrator for a design intended to become a state-of-the-art national laser fusion facility in Adelaide, which has already attracted international attention.
In the medium term, it will establish a laser manufacturing facility in Adelaide and collaborate on dual-use needs in defence, clean energy, space and health sectors under the federally funded $240 million Defence Trailblazer program.
This program could cement Adelaide as a hub for advanced manufacturing and innovation aligning with South Australia’s broader agenda of job creation by generating supply chain and other employment opportunities over the next four years.
The laser will emit high-energy pulses of light at low cost with very high wall-plug efficiency – the ratio of optical output power to consume electrical input power as measured at the wall plug. This combination will be crucial for many new applications, including to drive a fusion power plant to generate clean energy at low cost, according to HB11 Energy.
Dr. Warren McKenzie, Managing Director, HB11 Energy said: “Demonstrating more than 10 percent wall-plug efficiency will give Australia a seat at the table of global missions to produce the world’s first fusion power plant.
“Building Australia’s sovereign manufacturing expertise in laser technology will help us to secure a slice of an industry that will power the globe in the second half of the century. This is a multi-billion dollar opportunity just to supply the world’s first-of-a–kind fusion power plant.
“It will enable Australia to export this capability, positioning us as an energy superpower in the global race towards fusion energy.”
Dr Sanjay Mazumdar, Executive Director of Defence Trailblazer, said: “We are excited to be partnering with HB11 Energy on an Australian-first project. The commercialisation of laser fusion technology and the establishment of a laser manufacturing facility will provide Australia with new and sovereign capability that will benefit the nation.”
Prof Miftar Ganija, Lead of the USPL Group at University of Adelaide said: “We are excited to formalise this partnership between the University of Adelaide’s DualTech-USPL Group, Defence Trailblazer, and HB11 Energy. Beyond laser development, it will expand the STEM pipeline strengthening our workforce. Through this collaboration, the development of high-energy lasers will not only advance clean energy but also address critical needs across dual-use sectors, positioning Australia at the forefront of next-generation technologies.”
Caption of featured photo: From left: Dr. Sanjay Mazumdar (CEO, Defence Trailblazer), Prof. Michael Goodsite (Pro Vice‐Chancellor Research Operations & Commercialisation, University of Adelaide), Dr. Warren McKenzie (Founder and Managing Director, HB11 Energy), Dr. Sergey Pikuz (Chief Technology Officer,HB11 Energy), Prof. Miftar Ganija (Head of Dualtech USPL group, University of Adelaide).
