How Z-pinch could be the way ahead for fusion and clean energy

In this episode of the Decoding Innovation podcast series, Ryan Umstattd, VP of Product Development at Zap Energy, talks about the future of clean energy production through efficient fusion techniques.

Listen now on Apple PodcastsSpotify and Google Podcasts, and watch on YouTube.

Many people still see nuclear fusion as a far-flung, futuristic solution for cleaner energy. But the truth is, every day, scientists and energy-generation companies around the world are proving that this technology is becoming viable in our own present day.

Deuterium and tritium have been observed as the main sources of fuel to design futuristic, commercially viable fusion plants worldwide. Among the many paths to generating fusion energy, choosing the right approach that can be commercially sustainable and successful has been the key differentiator between energy companies across the globe.  

Ryan Umstattd, VP of Product Development at Zap Energy, shares his insights on how commercialization of fusion for energy generation is not that far away, and dives deep into Zap Energy’s approach to generating clean fusion energy and much more.

Key takeaways:

  • Harnessing the power of self-generated magnetic fields for generating clean energy can be a game-changer for building commercially viable fusion plants.
  • Stabilizing the Z-pinch and keeping it going for longer periods can generate useful fusion reactions that can be utilized toward clean energy generation.
  • Density and temperature are the major challenges in stabilizing the Z-pinch within fusion reactors.

For your convenience, full text transcript of this podcast is also available. Read the transcript.

Presenters

Mitali Sharma
Principal, Strategy, EY-Parthenon, Ernst & Young LLP
Photographic portrait of Ryan Umstattd
Ryan Umstattd
VP of Product Development, Zap Energy

Podcast

Episode 12

Duration 41m 23s

Direct to your inbox

Stay up to date with the latest Decoding Innovation podcast episodes and news from the EY-Nottingham Spirk Innovation Hub.

Subscribe

In this series

Series overview
(Event List - Manual)

How Z-pinch could be the way ahead for fusion and clean energy

In this episode of the Decoding Innovation podcast series, Ryan Umstattd, VP of Product Development at Zap Energy, talks about the future of clean energy production through efficient fusion techniques.
Podcast

Episode 12

Duration
41m 23s

How one company entirely reshaped the commercialization of innovation

In this episode, John Nottingham and Joe Gfoeller explain the process of innovation and the factors that determine the successful introduction of a new product in the market.
Podcast

Episode 11

Duration
44m 24s

How the metaverse plans to bring people closer

In this episode, Varjo founder and CTO Urho Konttori shares his vision about the metaverse and how it has the potential to transform businesses of the future.
Podcast

Episode 10

Duration
42m 51s

How extended reality (XR) technologies can transform industries

In this episode of the Decoding Innovation podcast series, UrsaLeo Co-founder and CEO John Burton narrates the company's journey and how XR technologies are changing industries and the world.
Podcast

Episode 9

Duration
31m 01s

Why advanced nuclear energy should be part of the climate solution

In this episode of the Decoding Innovation podcast, Judi Greenwald, the Executive Director of Nuclear Innovation Alliance, shares her journey and insights on advanced nuclear power.
Podcast

Episode 8

Duration
57m 16s

Why a successful circular economy requires action now

In this episode, Felix Heisel, Assistant Professor and Director of the Circular Construction Lab at Cornell University, discusses why circular economy is ideal for the construction industry.
Podcast

Episode 7

Duration
49m 41s

How remote MedTech is revolutionizing modern health care

In this episode of the Decoding Innovation podcast, Daniel Hawkins, CEO and founder of Avail Medsystems, talks about Avail leveraging remote technology to pioneer the evolution of modern health care.
Podcast

Episode 6

Duration
53m 34s

Why “dirt-to-dirt” is the real circular economy

In this episode of Decoding Innovation podcast, Douglas Horne, CEO and founder of Evanesce, talks about compostable packaging and explains why “dirt-to-dirt” is the real circular economy.
Podcast

Episode 5

Duration
36m 39s