A race for clean energy

In July, our IMPRS-APS students visited the fusion startup Marvel Fusion.

Harnessing fusion – the process that powers our sun – as a clean source of energy has been a dream of many decades. One of the companies working to turn this dream into reality is Munich-based startup Marvel Fusion.  A few weeks ago, our doctoral candidates – together with students from the IMPRS-QST – got the chance to gain insights into the work of the fusion startup.

Approaches to achieve fusion on earth either work through magnetic confinement or are driven by lasers. Marvel Fusion employs a laser-driven method that utilizes nanostructured rods to convert energy from ultrashort laser pulses into charged particles that can compress and heat fusion fuels.

To understand and demonstrate the key physics of this process, Marvel Fusion collaborates with existing laser facilities, such as the Centre for Advanced Laser Applications (CALA) in Garching. Our students were given a behind-the-scenes tour at CALA, taking a look at the high-intensity ATLAS-3000 laser and gaining insights into Marvel Fusion’s experimental chamber.

Leading the laser-plasma physics team from the experiments department at Marvel Fusion is none other than our former IMPRS-APS student Daniel Rivas! He and Katinka von Grafenstein – an IMPRS-APS graduate from last year – provided a “physics deep-dive” for our researchers. Furthermore, Floris Deurvorst – Manager R&D at Marvel Fusion – offered an introduction to the startup's mission and vision.

During the visit, the students also had the chance to engage in informal discussions with Marvel Fusion employees over lunch.

Thanks to Floris Deurvorst, Daniel Rivas, Katinka von Grafenstein, Tanja Erhard and the other Marvel Fusion employees for the hospitality and insights! And thanks to Sonja Gerlach from CALA and Martin Speicher from Marvel Fusion for showing us the facilities at CALA!   

 

Photos: Nina Beier