Nuclear fusion has long been considered the holy grail of energy. But now there is a technological shift that could speed up its transition from laboratories to practice. Japanese startup Helical Fusion claims to have solved one of the most difficult technical problems – manufacturing extremely precise magnetic coils to keep plasma stable.
Nuclear fusion promises an almost inexhaustible source of energy without greenhouse gas emissions. Nevertheless, it remains the “technology of the future” for decades. The main reason is simple: keeping an extremely hot plasma stable for long enough is extremely technologically demanding. This is where a new approach comes into play, highlighted by the development of Helical Fusion.
The company announced that it was able to develop a system for the production of high-temperature superconducting helical coils. These components are key to a so-called stellarator – a type of fusion reactor that uses a complex three-dimensional magnetic field to sustain the plasma. Unlike the better-known tokamaks, which require pulsed operation, stellarators can theoretically operate continuously.
The fusion principle is inspired by the stars themselves. At extreme temperatures, atomic nuclei fuse, releasing enormous amounts of energy. As ITER explains, the process produces minimal radioactive waste and does not use fossil fuels.
The problem is that the plasma must be maintained at temperatures exceeding tens of millions of degrees. No material can withstand such conditions, so magnetic fields are used to “enclose” the plasma without physical contact. And this is where technology breaks down.
Stellarators are known for having extremely complex magnetic coils. Each coil must be manufactured with extreme precision or the plasma will become unstable. This problem has hindered their practical use for a long time. The importance of this challenge is confirmed, for example, by the Wendelstein 7-X project, which is among the most advanced stellarators in the world and whose construction took more than two decades.
Helical Fusion claims that it is this “manufacturing bottleneck” that they have managed to overcome. Their technology enables the precise and repeatable production of complex superconducting coils, which is key to scaling up fusion reactors. The inspiration was the Japanese experimental reactor Large Helical Device, which showed that this approach can lead to stable and long-term plasma maintenance.
“Manufacturing these coils has been one of the biggest technical challenges of stellarators,” say experts in fusion technology analyses. Precisely the ability of precise production could open the way to industrial use.
Another key element is high-temperature superconductors. These make it possible to create stronger magnetic fields with lower energy requirements. According to reviews published in ScienceDirect, these materials represent a major step towards more efficient fusion energy.
Helical Fusion plans to use its technology in two projects. A demonstrator named Helix Haruka is to verify the functionality of the system, while Helix Kanata is expected to represent the first commercial reactor. At the same time, the company declares its ambition to supply fusion energy to the grid around 2040.
This time horizon is not accidental. Most large fusion projects, including the international ITER program, expect commercial use in this period. The difference is that startups like Helical Fusion are trying to speed up the process and bring development from academia to industry.
Nevertheless, many questions remain. Fusion isn’t just about maintaining plasma. It is also necessary to ensure efficient energy transfer, long-term stability of the system and economic viability. Critics warn that despite technological advances, the road to mass adoption may be longer than it seems today.
On the other hand, the pace of innovation is accelerating. There have been several major milestones in recent years, including experiments that achieved energy gain for the first time. These results suggest that fusion is no longer just a theoretical concept.
Interestingly, the structure of research is also changing. In addition to large state projects, private companies are increasingly entering the game. These bring new approaches, faster development and a greater willingness to take risks.
If their technology proves successful, it could be a game changer. Not only for stellarators, but for the entire field of fusion energy. The ability to produce complex components on a large scale is one of the main prerequisites for commercial use.
Nuclear fusion may thus be entering a new phase. The phase in which experimental science becomes industrial technology. And this is the moment the world has been waiting for for more than half a century.
