Helion

After a large bank upgrade on our Polaris formation section test, we're back up and forming plasmas! Our upgrades included a new capacitor bank configuration, new vacuum vessel, and an optimized control room setup. Each of these upgrades help us learn early about how we'll be operating and testing Polaris once the full system is built. #engineering #fusionenergy #plasma

October is busy for the recruiting team at Helion! Here’s where you can find us this month: American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) national conference from October 3-5. This event advances indigenous peoples in STEM fields through educational, professional, and workforce development. American Physical Society Division of Plasma Physics (APS DPP) annual meeting from October 7-11. Our team will be presenting on multiple topics throughout the event! WE24: Together We Rise, hosted by Society of Women Engineers from October 24-26. Come find our Talent team at booth #1237!

I was glad to join leaders from new energy industries to discuss the future of energy at the Special Competitive Studies Project - SCSP AI & Energy Summit. The world’s demand for power is accelerating. By 2050, global energy consumption is projected to nearly double (and I think it will be much more). The current grid and energy sources alone won't get us there. We can’t afford to stick with the status quo. New technologies must be integrated into the mix, and fusion is critical to that future. With fusion energy, we’re talking about safe, abundant, carbon-free power – a game-changer for the energy ecosystem. Our goal is to bring fusion to the grid within this decade, and the policies we adopt now will determine how quickly we can make that a reality. Support for R&D, market incentives, and regulatory frameworks are all essential if we want to build the diverse, clean energy systems we need. It’s not a question of “if” fusion will play a role, but “when” – and with the right steps, that could be sooner than most expect. #fusionenergy #cleanenergy

We’re looking for a stellar candidate for our Radiation Safety Officer role, at our HQ in Everett, WA. As Radiation Safety Officer at Helion, you will be responsible for driving Helion's commitment to safety, ensuring exposure to ionizing radiation stays as low as reasonably achievable for all individuals in and around our facilities. You will collaborate with a team of health physicists to implement safety standards, and work with regulatory bodies to apply for and maintain radiological licenses. If this sounds like you, meet us in the comments. #safety #fusion #hiring

Beautiful day to build a fusion generator in City of Everett, WA #everettwa #fusion #engineering

Yesterday, I had the honor of testifying before the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources on the future of fusion energy. ⚡️ As I prepared, I reflected on what fusion means for the U.S. as we face growing energy demands. You can read more here: https://lnkd.in/eYwu_wPd Fusion is on the brink of transforming the global energy landscape, and the U.S. is at a pivotal moment. My full testimony is available here: https://lnkd.in/eKhHpJFz At Helion, we’re developing fusion technology. After building six prototypes, we’re working on Polaris, expected to be the first machine to demonstrate electricity from fusion. https://lnkd.in/eqRZ3erT This isn’t a distant dream—it’s becoming a reality. But the challenge goes beyond technology—it’s about scaling fast enough to meet global energy demand. The U.S. must deploy hundreds, if not thousands, of fusion power plants. That requires policy support and a strong supply chain. The competition is fierce. China is moving quickly to replicate our designs. If we’re not careful, they could dominate this emerging market, just as they have with solar and batteries. The U.S. needs bold initiatives, like a "Fusion Advantage Initiative," to ensure we lead the global fusion race. Regulatory reform and public-private partnerships are critical to making this happen. Fusion isn’t just about clean energy—it’s about securing U.S. leadership in energy and national security. The time to act is now.

Today, our Director of Public Affairs, Jacqueline Siebens, testified in front of the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. We outlined a crucial path to establish the U.S. as a leader in fusion energy development and deployment. Achieving this requires new policies that foster a strong supply chain and fast-track deployment, placing the U.S. at the forefront of the race against climate change. Strengthening both policy and infrastructure will enable fusion energy to revolutionize energy production, positioning the U.S. as the global leader in a clean, carbon-free future.

Calling all students! For the first time, we’re hiring interns. Join us on our mission to build the world’s first fusion power plant, enabling a future of unlimited clean electricity in Summer 2025. #engineering #fusionenergy #internships

Fusion is not nuclear. Fusion is fundamentally different than what the world associates with the term ‘nuclear,’ which is the fission process. In fact, it is the opposite! This has major implications for its potential impacts to public safety and the environment. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and Congress have recognized this. As we are on the cusp of major breakthroughs and the rapid deployment of fusion energy to responsibly meet the world’s growing energy needs, we must make this clear. We should all empower fusion to make its own case to our communities and policy‑makers, without being wrongly associated with ‘nuclear.’ Read more here: https://lnkd.in/e3jfX7Xn

Optical spectroscopy is an important diagnostic tool to monitor FRC plasmas in Helion’s generators. Light emitted by the plasma is shaped into a narrow beam and then guided to a spectrometer by an optical fiber. There, light is separated into its component wavelengths and measured to identify impurities and determine plasma parameters, like temperature and density. Shown here is a member of our Research team, testing different fibers and collimators on an optical bench. #plasma #physics #innovation