# The Future of Energy - Part 3: Fusion Energy

- Show: [Additive Snack](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/additive-snack)
- Published: 2022-08-30
- Length: 25m
- Episode: 3
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/additive-snack/2022-08-30-the-future-of-energy-part-3-fusion-energy
- Listen: https://share.transistor.fm/s/9bba03bb

## Summary

Jim McNeil, Chief Marketing Officer, and Vincent Pilard, Senior Mechanical and Project Engineer at TAE Technologies, discuss the development of a compact, commercial fusion power source. They explain how TAE leverages additive manufacturing to redesign critical components like beam dumps and accelerator grids, achieving significant weight reduction and improved cooling efficiency through complex internal channels. The episode highlights the transition from research machines like C2W to the upcoming Copernicus reactor, aiming for net energy production in the early 2030s.

## Chapters

- [0:02](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/additive-snack/2022-08-30-the-future-of-energy-part-3-fusion-energy#t=2) Introduction: TAE Technologies and Fusion Mission
- [3:09](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/additive-snack/2022-08-30-the-future-of-energy-part-3-fusion-energy#t=189) TAE's Three-Stage Roadmap: Efficiency, Proof, and Scaling
- [5:54](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/additive-snack/2022-08-30-the-future-of-energy-part-3-fusion-energy#t=354) Fusion Physics: Plasma, Neutral Beams, and FRC Design
- [12:43](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/additive-snack/2022-08-30-the-future-of-energy-part-3-fusion-energy#t=763) Additive Manufacturing: Redesigning Beam Dumps and Accelerator Grids
- [19:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/additive-snack/2022-08-30-the-future-of-energy-part-3-fusion-energy#t=1153) Future Reactors: Copernicus, Da Vinci, and Supply Chain Needs

## Topics

- [Energy & climate tech](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/energy-and-climate-tech)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Mechanical engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/mechanical-engineering)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- TAE Technologies (company)
- EOS (company)
- Additive Minds (company)
- Copernicus (product)
- C2W (product)
- Da Vinci (product)
- Tokamak (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [The Fuss About Fusion](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2021-12-10-the-fuss-about-fusion) (EE Times Current)
- [Commercial Fusion Has Started: How Helion Is Bringing Power to the Grid by 2028](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hardware-to-save-a-planet/2026-02-05-commercial-fusion-has-started-how-helion-is-bringing-power-to-the-grid-by-2028) (Hardware to Save a Planet)
- [Is nuclear fusion getting close?](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2021-12-23-is-nuclear-fusion-getting-close) (Catalyst)
- [The New Wave in Energy Generation](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2021-10-22-the-new-wave-in-energy-generation) (EE Times Current)
- [Igniting the Future: Fusion Power and the Road to Clean Energy with Scott Mercer](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hardware-to-save-a-planet/2025-04-10-igniting-the-future-fusion-power-and-the-road-to-clean-energy-with-scott-mercer) (Hardware to Save a Planet)

## Citing this page

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