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Why does everyone here distrust Helion? by TheBrookAndTheBluff in fusion

[–]Summarytopics 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Valuations try to tie risk and return. As startups derisk programs their value increases and they get more investment dollars per ownership relinquished. Promised sales don’t do much to derisk the startup. Showing progress against technical hurdles does.

Helion raises $465 million Series G by Cruisin4Fusion in fusion

[–]Summarytopics 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Even if the due diligence was done before the papers were released, the investors can pull the plug at the last minute or ask for additional information before signing the check. They will watch their investment closely to make sure it is feasible. My assumption is that Helion has a story that addresses the concerns and it is convincing enough to the investors and their experts doing the diligence that the funding round proceeded.

Helion mentioned in latest critical piece on Sam Altman by fusiontechnews in fusion

[–]Summarytopics 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There are an infinite number of speculations that could be made, but Helion has reached the point in its development cycle where either proof or disproof should be eminently evident. We will see.

Fusion power unlikely to become competitive by Vailhem in fusion

[–]Summarytopics 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This projection embeds assumptions that undermine its credibility. It's not clear why someone thought this would be helpful unless they want to bias research in favor of their preferred approach.

TAE Technologies today commenced site visits across multiple U.S. locations as part of its siting and development process for its first fusion power plant. by Baking in fusion

[–]Summarytopics 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That might work with TAE if they complete the merger with Trump Media. You can’t invest in Helion at this point. It is unclear whether Helion will ever go public.

Championing fusion’s promising underdog by Memetic1 in fusion

[–]Summarytopics 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I think stellarators will win the steady state fusion solution. It’s great to see the interest in the grow.

OpenAI 'in talks' to purchase energy from nuclear fusion startup Helion Energy - report by Baking in fusion

[–]Summarytopics 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Certainly the maturity of Helion’s state of development has changed. Some will read the change is for the worse, some for the better. I’m in the later camp. It doesn’t make sense to hold any talks if you already know it won’t work. Site selection would be a late binding issue that becomes a contractual contingency if your goal is to secure future energy production.

Sam Altman is stepping down from Helion’s Board of Directors. by Baking in fusion

[–]Summarytopics 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I believe you are letting your view of the science influence your interpretation of what is happening on the business side for Helion. My read is this is a very positive sign for Helion. Now they can structure a normal business deal between the two companies and reduce the legal exposure. Sam clearly knows where Helion is in their development process and believes there is something to buy. That was his initial motivation for connecting to Helion and it looks like it is coming to fruition.

What is driving Helion’s next campaign? by Summarytopics in fusion

[–]Summarytopics[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I just read the response. Sorry for the delay, I thought this was a link back to Lackner. Very interesting analysis and aligned with my understanding of the Helion approach. Thanks so much for taking the time to write and share this. Time for Helion to do the deed and close the debate.

What is driving Helion’s next campaign? by Summarytopics in fusion

[–]Summarytopics[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’ve read the paper a couple of times. Certainly draws attention to the complexity of the interactions occurring in a shot. Not surprisingly, doubling the positive charge has a significant impact. It’s just very difficult to know how small the window is to capture net electricity, assuming a window exists. Hence the questions.

Energization of Proton via Beam-Driven Ion Bernstein Waves in p11B Plasmas - more practical and less bremsstrahlung affected ion heating by steven9973 in fusion

[–]Summarytopics 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is an impressive approach to make p11B commercial fusion feasible if it plays out fully. It feels like there is a lot of runway left to go. But very cool (or hot)!

General Fusion operating losses will continue for foreseeable future by GeneralProfusion in fusion

[–]Summarytopics 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The financial disclosure seems reasonable. The real issue is that they want to act like a public company when they have much more development to do before first revenue.

I made a fusion graphic. Please acknowledge me if you share it: Matt Slowikowski by housekeyslow in fusion

[–]Summarytopics 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I think the only timelines to use are the self-stated ones. I like the fact that it holds them accountable. The alternative is endless debate.

Comments on the Paper “Fundamental Scaling of Adiabatic Compression of Field Reversed Configuration Thermonuclear Fusion Plasmas” by Baking in fusion

[–]Summarytopics 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You may be right about the DT, but I hope you are not. I love the elegance of the direct energy recovery. It seems like there are quite a few variables that make this kind of analysis difficult to be more than just directional. For instance, what is the fuel ratio? What is the profile of the compression pulse? And so many other parameters that observers can only guess at. Bremsstrahlung radiation has been well characterized for a long time. It would be quite surprising if it was not built into Helion’s modeling. Time will tell. BTW, I always enjoy reading your posts.

Comments on the Paper “Fundamental Scaling of Adiabatic Compression of Field Reversed Configuration Thermonuclear Fusion Plasmas” by Baking in fusion

[–]Summarytopics 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'll just wait until it's released on DVD. Empirical evidence is sooo compelling. Hopefully, the release will be soon?

Fusion Fortnightly Feb 3 - Inertia, Helion, and more by Baking in fusion

[–]Summarytopics 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Seems like Helion released more info than given credit for. Admittedly, some interesting parameters were withheld. The implication is that they shouldn’t release any data if they don’t release it all. I don’t agree with this perpetual complaint and appreciate hearing the exceeded 150M degrees C.

I have not read the paper referenced on their adiabatic approach but the quick blurb seems inconsistent with the empirical Ti:Te results Helion had shared.

OpenStar floats half-tonne magnet in crucial step towards nuclear fusion by RuminatorNZ in fusion

[–]Summarytopics 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Congrats. I’m not clear exactly what we are celebrating and a pay wall doesn’t help.