BusinessJuly 13, 2026

stellarator

/ˈstɛləˌreɪtər/

Definition

A device used to confine hot plasma in a magnetic field for the purpose of generating controlled nuclear fusion energy.

Etymology

Coined by American physicist Lyman Spitzer in 1951, the term is a combination of 'stellar' (relating to stars) and the suffix '-ator', reflecting its purpose of replicating the fusion processes that occur within stars.

In the news

In this article, the term refers to the 'Alpha' project being built by Proxima Fusion to demonstrate the viability of fusion power. It represents a high-stakes, capital-intensive technology that corporate venture investors are funding to advance future energy production.

When innovation meets capital and customers

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Global Venturing

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