Blue Laser Fusion

Blue Laser Fusion (BLF) is a technology company founded in November 2022 by Nobel Laureate Shuji Nakamura, Hiroaki Ohta, and Richard Ogawa. Based in Palo Alto, California, the company has developed a proprietary laser fusion technology capable of achieving the world's first fusion for energy generation. BLF's technology enables mega-joule pulse energy lasers with a fast repetition rate to achieve commercial fusion.

The company plans to adopt a safe hydrogen-boron fuel called "HB11" for sustainable and environmentally friendly operations. HB11 is not radioactive, free from harmful neutrons, yields safe helium elements, and is a naturally abundant mineral. BLF aims to complete its first prototype in 2025 and demonstrate a commercial-ready fusion reactor by 2030. As of July 2023, the company had raised USD 25 million in seed funding.

With over 200 claims in patent applications, BLF's technology creates a complete clean energy system to supply electric power to homes, businesses, and electric vehicles. The company is expanding its research and development operations in the Santa Barbara area and Tokyo.

Key customers and partnerships

In October 2023, Blue Laser Fusion Energy Research Division was established as a joint research project between BLF and the Institute of Laser Engineering at Osaka University. The division aims to develop laser fusion energy using power lasers.

BLF has also entered into collaborations with Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions, a supplier of turbines for nuclear power plants, and YUKI Holdings, a Tokyo-based precision metal processing company.