Layoffs hit General Fusion as the fusion power startup runs short on cash

General Fusion surpassed at least 25% of its employees last week, a few days after hitting the original milestone The latest fusion demonstration deviceThe

CEO Greg Twin posted an open letter to the company’s website on Monday that its new LM26 device was able to compress a plasma – something needed for fusion condition – General fusion There was a lack of money. He wrote, “[T]Investors and governments are more challenging than ever, with the rapidly transferred and uncertain political and market climate. “

The 23 -year -old company, which many still describe as startups, are the top entrance to Canada in commercial fusion power competition. It has collected $ 440 million dollars according to the pitchbook, with 22.66 million rounds closed in July. Supporters include Jeff Bezos, Temsek and BDC Capital. However, the money was not enough to show the company that his unique view of fusion is effective.

The distress of General Fusion highlights the challenges in the face of the fusion industry.

To today, only one device has been able to hit the so -called scientific Breakenven, it is a milestone that is a history that is very significant but not commercially. To hit commercial breaknven, the reactors need to produce a few dozen times more energy than still appear.

The road to these milestones has proved extraordinary expensive. Although the Tally of the General Fusion may seem impressive In the middle of the packThe Commonwealth Fusion System Has collected more than $ 2 billion, Heilion Have been drawn over $ 1 billion and upstart Pacific A alone has promised $ 900 million in his series A.

The challenge of General Fusion is that it is taking a different approach than many of its contestants.

Most fusion startups follow one of the two paths: magnetic captivity or involvement captivity. Using magnetic fields to control the ex -plasma, it presses it until it reaches the terms of the nucleia. The next procedure usually uses laser to compress a fuel pelit.

On the other hand, General Fusion Fusion is trying to use steam-powered pistons to compress the fuel. The US Navy tried Something similar ঐ There was no gain in the 1970s, but General Fusion thinks that modern computers can solve the problem at some point in the previous effort. It has not yet shown the case, but it says that when it is finished, the scientist of the LM26 should be able to reach the Bakenven.

Now the company has to raise more money – and fast – if it wants to prove it is an effective competitor for its approach.