#485 – David Kirtley: Nuclear Fusion, Plasma Physics, and the Future of Energy

Lex Fridman interviews David Kirtley, CEO of Helion Energy, about nuclear fusion and its potential to solve the world's energy needs. They discuss the basics of nuclear fusion and fission, the advantages of fusion (clean fuel, no radioactive waste, inherent safety), and the different approaches to achieving fusion, including Helion's pulsed magneto-inertial fusion. Kirtley addresses safety concerns, the differences between fusion and fission weapons, and the geopolitics of energy. He explains the technical challenges of achieving fusion, such as reaching extremely high temperatures and maintaining plasma stability, and highlights Helion's progress and timeline for producing commercial fusion power. The conversation also explores the potential of fusion to power data centers and enable space exploration, and touches on the Fermi paradox and the future of civilization.