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I dug into the background, and found this article: https://www.geekwire.com/2022/blue-origin-vets-unveil-startup-seeking-small-solution-to-massive-challenge-of-
by zokier 5y ago
I dug into the background, and found this article: https://www.geekwire.com/2022/blue-origin-vets-unveil-startup-seeking-small-solution-to-massive-challenge-of-fusion-energy/ https://www.geekwire.com/2022/blue-origin-vets-unveil-startu...
The punchline is
> The startup has raised a $5 million seed round, secured a Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) International Patent, and recently emerged from stealth mode. A few weeks ago, Langtry and Riordan generated their first neutrons via fusion.
But there is also nugget of information that gives some hint on the technology:
> While researching the field, Langtry came across a graduate thesis from a Lockheed Martin researcher named Tom McGuire. It included open source code for simulations for an electrostatic fusion reactor. The idea became the seed for Avalanche Energy’s technology.
Notably Lockheed Martin themselves have also made noises about fusion power:
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=8486335 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=8486335
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=20484100 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=20484100
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=8458371 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=8458371 (there should be another thread for this article that I can't find?)
This is both good and bad thing; on one hand, the concept might not be completely bogus if LM has been researching it too. But on the other hand, if LM with their billions together with McGuire who seems like a pretty smart fellow haven't figured how to make it work, then this startup is having quite an uphill battle ahead of them.
- josaka 5y agoI think this might be the PCT application in question (same name as the founder, and about fusion): https://patentscope.wipo.int/search/en/detail.jsf?docId=WO2022051514 https://patentscope.wipo.int/search/en/detail.jsf?docId=WO20... Discusses an "orbital confinement fusion reaction." (They might be overstating things with "secured a Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) International Patent." No such thing as a PCT patent. PCT's are just notice under a set of treaties that you might file an application in any of the 193 WIPO member states. No one ever has asserted a "PCT Patent." That said, PCT applications are examined, but the result is only advisory and countries often reach a different result when the examine the national phase filings.)
- hcarvalhoalves 5y agoIsn't that the definition of venture capital, though? Throwing only $5 million on an area like fusion power w/ _huge_ upside should be cheap.
- gradschoolfail 5y agohttps://arpa-e.energy.gov/sites/default/files/10_MCGUIRE.pdf https://arpa-e.energy.gov/sites/default/files/10_MCGUIRE.pdf