The world is moving from an era of energy transition to one of energy expansion, driven by rising electricity demand from AI infrastructure, electrification, and broader industrial growth. While renewable energy will continue to play a critical role, it must be complemented by stable and scalable power generation to meet future needs for resilience, competitiveness, and energy security.
Fusion energy is one of the most promising long-term solutions. Contrary to common perception, progress in fusion is accelerating rapidly, driven by growing demand for electricity and major advances in both public and private-sector programs.
Freemelt is actively contributing to this development by advancing manufacturing technologies for one of fusion’s key remaining challenges: plasma-facing components. These components, often made from pure tungsten, must withstand some of the most extreme conditions found on earth, including exposure to plasma temperatures of up to 150 million°C, intense magnetic forces, and severe neutron bombardment.
This presentation will highlight how additive manufacturing and materials technology can play a critical role in enabling the next generation of energy systems, and how innovation in production methods can help turn fusion from scientific ambition into industrial reality.
