OpenStar Sparks First Plasma

A Major Milestone for Fusion Energy

We are thrilled to announce one of ETECH’s cutting edge customers, OpenStar, the innovative fusion energy startup, has achieved a groundbreaking milestone: First Plasma. This monumental achievement has garnered international attention, with coverage from prestigious outlets like the Financial Times, Cosmos Magazine, BusinessDesk and CNN. OpenStar’s progress in the fusion energy sector is not just a scientific triumph, but a testament to the engineering and fabrication expertise that has been critical to their success.

What is "First Plasma"?

For those unfamiliar with the term, First Plasma is a pivotal moment in the development of fusion reactors. It marks the first time a fusion device successfully creates and confines a super-hot cloud of ionized gas, also known as plasma. Plasma is the essential fuel needed to trigger a fusion reaction — the same process that powers stars.

In these high-energy plasmas, atoms are heated to extreme temperatures, where they fuse together, releasing part of their mass as pure energy. Achieving First Plasma is not only a technical achievement but also a crucial step in demonstrating the viability of fusion energy as a potential clean energy source for the future.

ETECH’s Involvement in OpenStar’s First Plasma Milestone

At ETECH, we are thrilled to have supported OpenStar achieve their monumental milestone of First Plasma through supplying bespoke stainless steel pressure equipment. Our collaboration has been centered on the design and fabrication of absolute vacuum chambers, which are essential in creating the controlled environment needed for OpenStar’s fusion experiments.

Pushing the Boundaries of Design and Fabrication

This partnership has pushed the boundaries of ETECH’s design and fabrication capabilities. The development of vacuum chambers for fusion reactors is a complex and highly specialised task. The equipment we supplied was custom-built to meet the stringent requirements of OpenStar’s unique fusion device — a levitated dipole reactor. These reactors operate under extreme conditions, where absolute vacuum and precise control are paramount for success.

As a team, we worked closely with OpenStar’s engineers to ensure that our stainless steel pressure equipment would meet the high-performance standards required for their First Plasma tests. The pressure chambers must maintain an ultra-high vacuum to allow the creation and containment of the superheated plasma — an essential step in enabling fusion reactions.

This type of work represents the cutting edge of engineering fabrication, and we are proud to have contributed to a project that is paving the way toward a cleaner, more sustainable energy future.

A Continued Partnership

The success of First Plasma is just the beginning of OpenStar’s ambitious journey toward realising fusion energy on a commercial scale. At ETECH, we are excited to continue supporting OpenStar as they progress toward their next set of milestones.