The Wisconsin High-field Axisymmetric Mirror (WHAM) project is leveraging major advances in superconducting magnets and plasma heating to pursue commercially viable nuclear fusion power. Fusion is how energy is generated in the sun, yet it has been tremendously challenging to harness on Earth. This project seeks to pave the way to a comparatively low-cost fusion device that can be a net energy generator. Currently, almost two thirds of global electricity is generated by burning fossil fuels. In the face of climate change and economic growth in developing countries, there is an urgent need for alternative energy sources such as nuclear fusion which, unlike existing fission power plants, does not produce long-lived radioactive spent fuel waste or incur the same safety concerns.
Presented at WARF Innovation Day at Summerfest Tech on June 29, 2022, by Kieran Furlong, Honorary Fellow, UW-Madison College of Letters & Science and CEO of Realta Fusion.