Sydney nuclear fusion startup HB11 inks deal with European laser giant
HB11 has partnered with Europe’s ELI ERIC, a top laser R&D consortium, to supply laser targets — marking a major step in the Australian startup’s fusion ambitions.
Australian nuclear fusion startup HB11 has signed a deal to supply laser targets to ELI ERIC, one of the world’s largest laser research and development labs.
Although Sydney-based HB11 is decades away from building nuclear fusion plants, it aims to generate revenue long before then — initially by selling laser targets to research institutions and, eventually, by selling lasers themselves.
The deal with ELI ERIC, a consortium of EU-backed laser facilities in the Czech Republic, Hungary and Romania, is the first step in turning that plan into a reality. The agreement was signed in the presence of Czech Republic President Petr Pavel.
“This announcement is essentially the highest profile laser facility in the world signing us up to where we become a supplier of [laser] targets,” HB11 founder Warren McKenzie said.
