Core Insights - The U.S. Energy Secretary predicts that nuclear fusion power technology could achieve commercial application within 8 to 15 years, providing strong confidence in the clean energy sector, which has long been constrained by technological bottlenecks [1] - This optimism is based on a historic breakthrough in 2022 at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, where net energy gain from nuclear fusion was first achieved, marking a transition from experimental to potential engineering application [1] Group 1 - The U.S. will actively promote the commercialization path of nuclear fusion and accelerate its application in actual energy supply [1] - Nuclear fusion technology is seen as a crucial solution for future clean energy, offering nearly limitless power generation without greenhouse gas emissions or long-lived nuclear waste, which is significant for the global energy transition [1] Group 2 - The pace of innovation in the nuclear fusion sector has significantly accelerated in recent years, with multiple key technological breakthroughs following the 2022 net energy gain achievement, enhancing industry confidence [4] - Notable tech entrepreneurs like Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates have invested billions into related startups and technology development, alongside sovereign wealth funds, U.S. development banks, and venture capital firms, all contributing to the push for nuclear fusion commercialization [4] Group 3 - The current investment surge reflects a growing market demand for carbon-free energy and increased confidence in the eventual commercial application of nuclear fusion technology [7] - Several companies are actively advancing demonstration plant construction and grid connection plans, aiming to be the first to achieve commercial operation globally [7] - With clearer technological pathways and increased policy support, the commercial prospects for nuclear fusion power are becoming increasingly promising, potentially transforming the global energy supply landscape and providing critical support in addressing climate change [7]

Core Insights - The U.S. Secretary of Energy, Chris Wright, predicts that nuclear fusion technology could achieve commercial power generation within 8 to 15 years, marking a significant shift in the global clean energy landscape [1][2] - Recent technological breakthroughs, including the first net energy gain from a nuclear fusion reaction achieved by the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in 2022, have bolstered confidence in the commercial viability of nuclear fusion [1][2] - High-profile investors, including Jeff Bezos, Bill Gates, and Peter Thiel, have invested billions into nuclear fusion, indicating a growing market interest in its commercialization [1][2] Technological Advancements - The commercial pathway for nuclear fusion is expected to be clarified during the Trump administration, building on recent key advancements in the technology [2] - The 2022 achievement of net energy gain in nuclear fusion is considered a historic milestone, demonstrating the feasibility of generating electricity through fusion [2] - Nuclear fusion mimics the energy production mechanisms of the sun and stars, theoretically providing nearly limitless clean power without greenhouse gas emissions or long-lived radioactive waste [2] Investment Trends - The nuclear fusion sector is attracting significant attention from top investors and institutions, with a surge in capital support from sovereign wealth funds, national development banks, and venture capital firms [2][3] - The influx of investment reflects a growing demand for clean energy technologies and an increasing confidence in the eventual commercialization of nuclear fusion [2]

Group 1 - The forum titled "Let New Technologies No Longer 'Wait for the Wind': Financial Technology Supporting the New Triangle Cycle" was held in Shanghai, co-hosted by Daily Economic News and Shanghai Jiao Tong University [1] - Renowned financial investor and entrepreneur Lars Tvede delivered a keynote speech on "Foreseeing the Next Leap Era Led by AI" [1] Group 2 - Lars Tvede predicts that by 2050, there will be 4 billion AI-driven machines globally, contributing approximately 80% of measurable global GDP, significantly outpacing human contributions [2] - The cost of manufacturing a robot is projected to be around $10,000, which is one-fiftieth of the cost of training a human resource, which ranges from $100,000 to $400,000 [2] - Robots are expected to work at least ten times longer than humans annually, fundamentally altering the global economy [2] Group 3 - Tvede believes that AI will reach intelligence levels 100,000 times that of humans, and quantum computers will handle 10% of global computing tasks [3] - He cites Helion, a company working on nuclear fusion technology, which aims to provide power to Microsoft by 2028, indicating significant advancements in energy solutions [3] - The widespread implementation of nuclear fusion technology could take about 15 years, but it is expected to eventually resolve global energy issues [3]

Core Viewpoint - Marathon Fusion claims to have developed a method to convert mercury into gold using nuclear fusion, potentially doubling revenue for fusion power plants [1][5]. Group 1: Technology Overview - The technology is based on existing fusion principles, utilizing high-energy neutrons to convert mercury-198 into mercury-197, which decays into stable gold-197 [2]. - The process does not reduce the power output or tritium breeding capabilities of the fusion plant [3]. Group 2: Commercial Potential - Each gigawatt of fusion power capacity is estimated to produce gold worth approximately equal to its electricity revenue, potentially doubling the plant's income [5]. - The global annual gold production is around 3,500 tons, and the company believes the gold produced from fusion can be absorbed by the market without affecting gold prices [6]. Group 3: Challenges and Considerations - The main challenge is the potential radioactivity of the produced gold due to the presence of other mercury isotopes, requiring a storage period of 14 to 18 years for safety [9]. - While particle accelerators have previously synthesized gold, the yield has been minimal and costly [9]. - The technology could also be applied to produce other precious metals, but gold is seen as the most viable option due to market size [10]. Group 4: Industry Context - The commercialization of nuclear fusion still faces significant technical challenges, with no fusion experiment yet producing more energy than consumed, although private investment is increasing optimism in the field [11].

Core Viewpoint - The governments of Japan and the UK are set to sign a memorandum to collaborate on the development of nuclear fusion power generation technology, aiming for practical power generation demonstrations in the 2030s [1][2]. Group 1: Collaboration Details - The collaboration will integrate the UK's remote-operated robotic technology for reactor maintenance with Japan's manufacturing capabilities [1]. - The agreement will cover areas such as research and development, shared facilities, safety regulatory frameworks, and talent training [1]. - The meeting to sign the agreement will take place on June 19 in London between Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology and the UK's climate change strategy representative [1]. Group 2: Strategic Goals - Japan's revised "Fusion Energy Innovation Strategy" aims for global leadership with practical power generation demonstrations in the 2030s [1]. - Japan has chosen the UK as its first partner to accelerate the development of nuclear fusion technology [1]. Group 3: UK Expertise - The UK possesses significant experience in reactor management and has been at the forefront of using remote-operated robots for the maintenance of nuclear fusion research facilities [2]. - The UK has also provided assistance in using remote robots for decommissioning work at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant [2].