Hi possible investor, importance of foams and latest scientific papers
Hi there,
Welcome to the latest news update from HB11 Energy. HB11 is making commercial fusion energy a reality by developing the world’s first aneutronic fusion power plant. As part of this strategy, we will be launching business lines in lasers and laser targets with an ambition to achieve first revenues in 2025.
In a recent milestone for this business strategy, HB11 entered into a collaboration with the world's largest high-power laser infrastructure provider, ELI ERIC, who will likely be among the first customers for HB11’s laser targets business. On the science and technology side, we’ve added a globally respected leader in the field of high-power lasers to our team, we’ve published new and important scientific papers, and we’ve continued our presence at major laser and fusion conferences and workshops, ensuring the technology is supported in the broader fusion sector.
As always, we’re grateful for your ongoing support and wish you and your families a safe and happy holiday season.
INVESTMENT
HB11 business strategy sees profitability en route to Fusion Energy
As published recently in both Forbes magazine and Capital Brief, HB11 Energy is currently creating a ‘revenue bridge’ to full-scale fusion. This is not a ‘side project’ just to make revenue. The laser targets and laser components of the commercial businesses are also core fusion technology and developing them in a commercial setting will accelerate our R&D efforts.
HB11 Energy COO Greg Ainsworth was quoted as saying: “It’s still about building a fusion energy power plant, but by first focusing on the components that have commercial legs, we generate a financial return for our investors, and thanks to commercial pressures we accelerate the readiness of technology for fusion energy itself.”
Two technologies that stand at the centre of HB11’s commercial roadmap are high-powered lasers and boron fuel targets. Both are critical for our approach to fusion, but are independently valuable in fields including scientific research, medical industries and defense.
HB11 Energy signs agreement with world’s largest high-power laser infrastructure provider for fusion technology development
HB11 Energy has signed an agreement with the world's largest high-power laser infrastructure provider ELI ERIC to develop technology that could advance the $12.5 billion global fusion energy industry. This collaboration will establish HB11 as a supplier of micro-structured laser targets required for experiments that will advance fusion as well as many other applications.
The agreement was signed at a Business NSW event to build partnerships between the Czech Republic and Australia. Present were the President of the Czech Republic, Petr Pavel, NSW Minister for Industry and Trade, Anoulack Chanthivong, Jan Rafaj, President of the Czech Confederation of Industry, and David Harding, Executive Director of Business NSW.
Creating targets to ignite fast ignition of a fusion burn
HB11 Energy has recently created low-density foams to use as micro-structured laser targets. The foams are only about twice the weight of air and are key to the future of laser fusion. They are an extremely efficient source of the high-flux proton beam required to ignite fusion fuel. Today we need these foams for our experiments… tomorrow they will be a critical part of the ‘spark plug’ that ignites the proton fast ignition of a fusion burn.
HB11 a major contributor at the 4th International Workshop on Proton-Boron Fusion
HB11 Energy was a sponsor of and major contributor to the 4th International Workshop on Proton-Boron Fusion in Frascati, Italy, from 30 September to 3 October. Hosted by ENEA – the Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development – the Workshop shared information regarding new findings about laser-triggered p-11B fusion reactions, discussed technological challenges and identified potential paths for the funding of Proton-Boron Fusion initiatives.
The HB11 team has now performed 12 experiments at international laser facilities, some over many weeks. Our experiments have built the most comprehensive understanding of proton boron fusion and given our team the best insights with regard achieving a ‘supra fusion’ thermal burn to reach net-energy gain and beyond.
Scientific Paper - Ammonia borane-based targets for new developments in laser-driven, proton-boron fusion
Hydrogen-boron fusion needs a fuel that includes the elements hydrogen and boron, (ideally with more hydrogen). Any other elements simply get in the way. However, most laser-boron fusion experiments performed to date have used boron nitride.
This paper from our collaborative program used borane BH3 as a potentially ideal fuel. Using a relatively small laser to generate fusion – the Taranis at Queens University, Belfast – they generated the same level of fusion as many of the best p11B fusion experiments performed so far.
We take this opportunity to welcome Professor Thomas Kuehl to the HB11 Energy Team. Thomas leads HB11’s laser R&D program in Adelaide, with a focus on reliable pulse compression technology. He is a highly respected leader globally for his work, building and operating world-leading high-power laser infrastructure. We are thrilled to have him join our growing team of luminaries.
HB11 Energy | Laser Boron Fusion | Sydney, Australia
HB11 Energy Holdings Pty Ltd, 27 Belgrave St, Manly, NSW 2095, Australia
