New Zealand startup achieves key milestone in nuclear fusion technology

OpenStar Technologies, a New Zealand startup, has achieved a significant milestone in nuclear fusion by creating superheated plasma at 300,000 degrees Celsius. This marks a key step toward developing a new type of fusion reactor that uses a powerful levitating magnet. Unlike traditional tokamak reactors, OpenStar's design features a magnet inside the plasma, making it simpler and faster to engineer. The company plans to build two more prototypes in the next two to four years to further develop its technology. Fusion energy, seen as a potential solution for clean power, has attracted over $7.1 billion in investment. However, experts caution that significant challenges remain before fusion can be commercially viable.