Latest news with #helium3
Geek Wire
5 days ago
- Science
- Geek Wire
Seattle-based Avail acquired by Upstack in tech consultancy deal
Interlune will team up with Astrolab to send a camera to the moon for helium-3 survey
Geek Wire
5 days ago
- Business
- Geek Wire
Interlune will team up with Astrolab to send a camera to the moon for helium-3 survey
An artist's conception shows Astrolab's FLIP rover on the moon. Interlune plans to put a helium-hunting multispectral camera on the rover. (Astrolab Illustration) Seattle-based Interlune says it's struck a deal with California-based Astrolab to send a multispectral camera to the moon to estimate how much helium-3 is present in lunar soil. Interlune's camera will be one of the payloads aboard Astrolab's FLEX Lunar Innovation Platform rover, or FLIP for short. The FLIP rover is scheduled to take a piggyback ride to the moon's south polar region aboard Astrobotics' Griffin lander as soon as late 2025. The mission will mark Interlune's first off-Earth step in its campaign to identify and extract helium-3 from the moon and return it to Earth. Helium-3 can be used for applications ranging from quantum computing to security screening to fusion energy production. But it's rare on Earth: Interlune has pegged the commercial price of helium-3 at as much as $20 million per kilogram. Interlune is betting that lunar helium-3, which is produced when charged particles from the sun hit moon dirt, will become a cheaper source — and a source of revenue for the startup. The multispectral camera that Interlune has developed in partnership with NASA's Ames Research Center will be used to estimate helium-3 quantities and concentration around Griffin's landing site, without having to bring samples back to Earth. 'This is our first lunar mission and a seminal milestone toward being the first company to harvest natural resources from space,' Interlune's co-founder and CEO, Rob Meyerson, said today in a news release. 'Astrolab's ability to provide reliable mobility on the moon to partners like Interlune is the quintessential example of the collaboration and innovation building the lunar economy.' Astrolab's founder and CEO, Jaret Matthews, said his company was 'thrilled to be carrying Interlune's multispectral camera to the moon.' 'This is exactly the kind of mission we built Astrolab for — delivering breakthrough science to the lunar surface,' Matthews said. Interlune was founded in 2020 and raised $18 million in seed capital last year. In May, the startup announced that the U.S. Department of Energy and Maybell Quantum Industries would be among its first customers. At the time that announcement was made, Interlune said it would start delivering helium-3 in 2029.
Sustainability Times
08-07-2025
- Science
- Sustainability Times
'We Finally Made It Happen': World's Largest Stellarator Produces Historic Helium-3 in Unprecedented Nuclear Breakthrough
IN A NUTSHELL 🔥 Breakthrough in Fusion Research : Scientists at Wendelstein 7-X have generated high-energy helium-3 ions, advancing nuclear fusion technology. : Scientists at Wendelstein 7-X have generated high-energy helium-3 ions, advancing nuclear fusion technology. 🌊 Ion Cyclotron Resonance Heating : This innovative technique uses electromagnetic waves to efficiently accelerate helium-3 ions, sustaining super-hot plasma conditions. : This innovative technique uses electromagnetic waves to efficiently accelerate helium-3 ions, sustaining super-hot plasma conditions. ☀️ Cosmic Implications : The research offers insights into solar phenomena, potentially explaining helium-3-rich clouds in the sun's atmosphere. : The research offers insights into solar phenomena, potentially explaining helium-3-rich clouds in the sun's atmosphere. 🌍 Future Energy Solutions: These advancements bring us closer to achieving practical fusion reactors, promising a clean and sustainable energy future. In a groundbreaking development in the world of nuclear fusion, scientists at the Wendelstein 7-X (W7-X) facility have achieved a historic milestone. For the first time, high-energy helium-3 ions have been generated using ion cyclotron resonance heating. This achievement marks a significant step forward in fusion research, potentially paving the way for future fusion power plants. The implications of this discovery extend beyond terrestrial energy solutions, offering insights into cosmic phenomena and the inner workings of our sun. The Significance of Ion Cyclotron Resonance Heating The W7-X facility, known as the world's largest stellarator, has made a remarkable breakthrough with the generation of helium-3 ions. This was accomplished using a sophisticated technique called ion cyclotron resonance heating (ICRH). This method is akin to pushing a child on a swing; each push must be in resonance with the swing's natural frequency to be effective. By utilizing powerful high-frequency waves, scientists were able to accelerate helium-3 ions to high energies. ICRH plays a crucial role in sustaining the super-hot conditions necessary for ongoing fusion reactions. This process involves feeding electromagnetic waves into a plasma containing hydrogen and helium-4, and tuning them to the specific frequency at which helium-3 ions naturally orbit the magnetic field lines. This technique allows the particles to efficiently absorb energy, sustaining the extreme temperatures required for continuous fusion reactions. 'Elusive Plasma Voids Found': US Scientists Crack Tokamak Confinement Mystery After Decades of Global Fusion Frustration Simulating Conditions with Helium-3 Ions Given the experimental nature of W7-X and its scaled-down design compared to a full-fledged fusion power plant, scientists simulate the conditions needed for fusion using lighter, lower-energy particles like helium-3 ions. These ions are accelerated to a suitable energy level through ICRH, simulating the behavior of high-energy alpha particles in a full-scale reactor. The successful generation of high-energy helium-3 ions in a stellarator is a world first in fusion research. This experiment not only demonstrates the potential of stellarators for future energy solutions but also offers a unique platform for understanding fundamental plasma physics. The collaboration under the Trilateral Euregio Cluster (TEC) has been instrumental in developing and operating this ICRH system, showcasing the strength of international scientific partnerships. FBI Raids Family Home After 12-Year-Old Conducts Dangerous Scientific Experiment That Triggers Federal-Level Alarm From Nuclear Fusion to Unveiling the Universe's Mysteries The implications of this innovation extend far beyond Earthly energy production. Researchers have discovered that the resonant processes driving helium-3 particles in W7-X might explain some of the sun's enigmatic behaviors. Specifically, these processes could account for the occasional formation of helium-3-rich clouds in the solar atmosphere, which contain up to 10,000 times more helium-3 than usual. This research not only contributes to the development of a sustainable energy source but also provides unexpected insights into the cosmos. Understanding these resonance processes helps scientists unlock the mysteries of the sun and other celestial bodies, highlighting how fusion science is shaping our understanding of the universe. 'World's Biggest Energy Gamble': US to Launch Record-Breaking Nuclear, Solar, and Gas Mega Project This Fall The Future of Fusion Research and Energy Solutions The accomplishments at W7-X represent a significant step toward realizing the dream of sustainable fusion energy. By overcoming the challenges of containing super-hot plasma and maintaining high-energy conditions, scientists are closer than ever to developing practical fusion reactors. These reactors could potentially provide a clean, unlimited energy source, significantly reducing reliance on fossil fuels. As researchers continue to refine these technologies, the potential for fusion energy becomes increasingly tangible. The ongoing collaboration between international scientific communities underscores the importance of shared knowledge and resources in advancing this field. The breakthroughs achieved at W7-X serve as a testament to what can be accomplished through dedicated research and innovation. As we stand on the cusp of a new era in energy production, the question remains: How soon will these advancements in fusion technology translate into real-world energy solutions, and what impact will they have on our global energy landscape? Our author used artificial intelligence to enhance this article. Did you like it? 4.4/5 (25)
Sustainability Times
10-06-2025
- Science
- Sustainability Times
'Nuclear First Just Happened': World's Largest Stellarator Produces Helium-3 in Unprecedented Breakthrough That Could Power Future Civilizations
IN A NUTSHELL 🔥 Scientists at the Wendelstein 7-X facility achieved a historic breakthrough by generating high-energy helium-3 ions. facility achieved a historic breakthrough by generating high-energy helium-3 ions. 🚀 The process utilized ion cyclotron resonance heating , a cutting-edge technique that could revolutionize fusion energy. , a cutting-edge technique that could revolutionize fusion energy. 🌞 This research offers insights into cosmic phenomena, potentially explaining the formation of helium-3-rich clouds on the sun . . 🔬 The advancements at W7-X pave the way for future fusion power plants and sustainable energy solutions. In a groundbreaking achievement, scientists at the world's largest stellarator facility, Wendelstein 7-X (W7-X), have successfully generated high-energy helium-3 ions. This milestone marks a significant advancement in fusion research. The achievement was made possible through a process known as ion cyclotron resonance heating, a technique that could revolutionize the way we understand and harness fusion energy. The implications of this research extend beyond just energy production, offering potential insights into cosmic phenomena. Let us explore the intricacies of this breakthrough and its broader implications in the context of nuclear fusion and beyond. Harnessing the Power of Helium-3 Ions The quest for sustainable fusion energy has taken a pivotal step with the generation of high-energy helium-3 ions at W7-X. This achievement addresses a critical challenge in fusion research: maintaining the super-hot conditions necessary for continuous fusion reactions. In fusion reactors, plasmas generate high-energy 'alpha particles' (helium-4 nuclei), which are essential for sustaining the extreme temperatures required for ongoing fusion. If these particles escape too quickly, the plasma cools, and the reaction cannot be maintained. By using ion cyclotron resonance heating, scientists have successfully simulated these conditions with helium-3 ions. This process involves accelerating lighter helium-3 ions to suitable energy levels. The technique is akin to pushing a child on a swing, where each push must be precisely timed to resonate with the swing's natural frequency. In the realm of fusion, powerful electromagnetic waves are used to achieve this resonance, allowing helium-3 ions to efficiently absorb energy and sustain the necessary conditions for fusion. 'Totally Illegal in Most Countries': This YouTuber's V16 Chainsaw Monster Engine Has No Crankshaft and Actually Runs The Role of Ion Cyclotron Resonance Heating Ion cyclotron resonance heating (ICRH) is a cutting-edge technique employed at W7-X to generate high-energy helium-3 ions. This method utilizes high-frequency waves in the megawatt range, fed into a plasma containing hydrogen and helium-4. By tuning these waves to the specific frequency at which helium-3 ions naturally orbit around the magnetic field lines, the particles absorb energy efficiently. This is the first time such high-energy helium-3 ions have been produced in a stellarator using ICRH, marking a world-first in fusion research. The ICRH system at W7-X is being developed under the Trilateral Euregio Cluster (TEC) in collaboration with the Plasma Physics Laboratory of the Royal Military Academy in Brussels and the Jülich institutes IFN-1 and ITE. This collaboration underscores the international effort and expertise being channeled into advancing fusion research. By simulating the conditions required for continuous fusion reactions, ICRH could pave the way for future fusion power plants, which aim to provide a sustainable and virtually limitless energy source. 'US on High Alert': Russia's Nuclear Icebreaker Invasion of the Arctic Threatens to Redraw Global Trade and Power Maps Connecting Nuclear Fusion and Cosmic Phenomena The implications of this research reach far beyond terrestrial energy production. Scientists have discovered that the resonant processes driving helium-3 particles in W7-X may explain a phenomenon observed on the sun. Occasionally, helium-3-rich clouds form in the sun's atmosphere, containing up to 10,000 times more helium-3 than usual. It is theorized that naturally occurring electromagnetic waves selectively accelerate helium-3 particles, forming these massive clouds. This discovery highlights the dual impact of fusion research: shaping the future of energy on Earth and unlocking the mysteries of the cosmos. The findings from W7-X demonstrate how advancements in fusion science can provide unexpected insights into the workings of the universe, offering a glimpse into the complex processes that govern stellar phenomena. As fusion research progresses, it continues to bridge the gap between terrestrial challenges and cosmic exploration. 'Airplanes Are the New Wind Farms': This Astonishing Breakthrough Turns Jet Turbine Gusts Into Tomorrow's Green Energy Revolution Implications for Future Fusion Power Plants The successful generation of high-energy helium-3 ions at W7-X represents a crucial step toward realizing practical fusion power plants. Future plants will rely on efficiently containing super-hot, multi-million-degree plasma to sustain fusion reactions. The insights gained from W7-X's experiments with helium-3 ions and ion cyclotron resonance heating offer a promising pathway toward achieving this goal. By simulating the conditions required for fusion and exploring the resonance processes involved, researchers are building a foundation for the next generation of fusion reactors. These reactors have the potential to provide a clean, safe, and virtually inexhaustible energy source, transforming the global energy landscape. As the pursuit of fusion energy continues, the innovations at W7-X serve as a testament to the power of scientific collaboration and the relentless quest for sustainable solutions. The advancements in fusion research at W7-X are not just about energy; they represent a convergence of science, technology, and international collaboration aimed at solving some of the world's most pressing challenges. As we stand on the brink of a fusion-powered future, the question remains: how will these breakthroughs shape the way we understand and interact with the universe around us? Our author used artificial intelligence to enhance this article. Did you like it? 4.5/5 (24)
Daily Mail
26-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Retired general issues terrifying warning about China mining the moon: 'Power for the entire world'
A retired top Air Force general has warned that China is mining a rare and powerful element from the moon that could give them the upper hand in the new space race. China confirmed its plans to build a nuclear plant on the moon to power the research station it's 'dreaming up' with Russia during an April presentation. The country aims to become a major space power and land astronauts on the moon by 2030. Its planned Chang'e-8 mission for 2028 would lay the groundwork for constructing a permanent, manned lunar base. However, Steven Kwast, a retired U.S. Air Force Lieutenant General and the CEO of SpaceBilt, claimed China has already started mining helium-3 from the moon. Helium-3 is a rare form of the gas helium on Earth, but NASA estimates that a million tons of it is on the moon. Scientists believe helium-3 could provide nuclear energy in a fusion reactor, but since it is not radioactive, it would not produce dangerous waste. Kwast warned during a recent episode of the Shawn Ryan Show that if China monopolizes the element, they could have enough power to crack any computer code. 'If we were to mine the moon for helium-3, at the current level of electricity use... we could power the energy needs of the human race for thousands of years based on the helium-3 that's on the moon right now,' Kwast said. 'Let's take the scenario where China now has enough helium-3 as they're mining it on the moon and bringing it back to Earth to be able to power the entire world for thousands of years. 'They are the ones that can actually operationalize quantum because they can cool it down to the temperature it needs to actually operate.' Kwast explained that helium-3 can be used to control the quantum cooling needed for advance technology, and whoever controls it will be able to break any code on the planet. 'When you start combining those three quantum capabilities - sensing, computing, communication - and you can affordably cool it down to the levels where it can be operationalized, now you've broken every code that ever was. I don't care how good your encryption is. They see every secret, every code, everything,' Kwast said. 'So there's an example of why not being in space with logistics and infrastructure to be able to move to see and to operate can make you vulnerable. 'Space is the place where if America does not change our strategy and how we're investing in space, we will become victims to others that use space as a way of dominating the energy market but also the information market.' While there is no proof that China is actively mining helium-3 on the moon, they have expressed interest in lunar resource extraction. In June 2024, China became the first country to land on the moon's far side. The Chang'e 6 spacecraft returned with 4.4 pounds of lunar rock samples. A new space race is warming up after half a century, with Russia, China and America racing to put robots, human astronauts and even lunar trains on the moon. Rare earth metals - used in smartphones, computers and advanced technologies - are available on the moon, according to research by Boeing.
