Zap Energy, a fusion energy startup, reported that its Fusion Z-pinch Experiment (FuZE) has reached 1–3 keV plasma electron temperatures—roughly the equivalent of 11 million to 37 million degrees Celsius—using its sheared-flow-stabilized Z-pinch approach to fusion.

This marks the company’s ability to make a thermal fusion plasma with electron temperatures hotter than 10 million degrees Celsius, roughly the temperature of the sun's core. The achieved temperatures were measured by an ARPA-E–backed team from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and the University of California–San Diego.

Analyst QuickTake: This milestone follows Zap Energy being selected as one of eight fusion technology companies chosen for a USD 46 million public-private Milestone-Based Fusion Development Program in May 2023 . The selected companies were challenged to develop fusion pilot plant designs and solve fusion challenges within five to 10 years.