Cambridge Heavy Industries builds tiny benchtop fusion devices

MIT-affiliated startup Cambridge Heavy Industries is developing compact benchtop laser fusion devices using a dual-laser, 2D irradiation scheme. The setup runs 50–80 shots per day and currently targets tritium production, with an industry shortfall of up to 28 kg (~$840 million) projected by 2054.

• Device fires 50–80 laser shots per day versus a handful at NIF
• Dual lasers: concentric rings drive shock waves, second laser hits compression point
• 2D scheme replaces NIF's 192-laser 3D array
• Focus is tritium; shortfall could reach 28 kg (~$840M) by 2054