nT-Tao fires first plasma in C3 fusion prototype

nT-Tao Compact Fusion Power has fired first plasma in its C3 prototype just over two months after assembly, hitting operational status on key fusion metrics. The Israeli start-up’s compact cylindrical machine blends pulsed high-density plasmas with steady magnetic fields, proving out confinement times and temperatures that build directly on last year’s C2-A results near 100 eV.

This innovative magnetic setup skips the size and complexity of stellarators or tokamaks by merging proprietary plasma heating with modular power systems. Upgrades to magnets, diagnostics and pulsed electronics let C3 validate simulations for higher performance, feeding straight into subsequent prototypes for grid-scale output between 10 and 20 MWe. Their 12-month iteration cycle keeps hardware risks low while chasing steady-state operation.

Factory-built modules like this could power data centres or remote sites without massive infrastructure. Engineers get that rapid plasma cycling solves the repetition rate puzzle others dodge with exotic materials, putting nT-Tao’s path to megawatts firmly on the table.