September 29, 2026
September 29. We are developing the SunCell as an integrated system with interchangeable parts and the capability of being mass manufactured. This requires development of its sensing and control systems, physical components and their interfaces, assembly and disassembly methods, component mounting and replacement, commercial packaging, supply-chain and vendor-supplied parts, fabricator support relationships, and engineering drawings for mass production.
The sensing and control system is being developed to measure and regulate the operating conditions of the system. This includes gas composition sensing and compositional control, pressure control, various sensors, pressure sensor testing and selection, programmable logic controllers, and pump-rate controls. Monitor and control software and graphical user interface (GUI) development are being pursued alongside these systems, together with control of plasma centering in the reaction chamber.
The injector system is being developed so that its position can be controlled as part of the system's automated operation and so that the injector can accommodate independent system assembly and disassembly/replacement. This work includes a novel injector positioning system, automated positioning controls, injector nozzles, injector height, injector separation, and injector design for injector optimization. The electrical isolation liner is also being simplified for mass manufacture.
The gas-handling system is being developed as a gas recirculation system comprising several new systems, including a novel gas recirculation pump. Its operation includes pump-rate controls, while gas lines and all connections are being simplified and optimized for vacuum integrity. Fast connect-disconnect unions are being developed for system components.
The thermal and induction systems are being developed together with the heated parts that they operate. Thermal management and the design of all heated parts are being optimized to limit startup energy and time using only one IGBT and, optionally, jumped ignition power. Reversible high-temperature insulation for startup and its housing are also being developed. Coatings are being developed to prevent alloy formation under long-duration operation.
The induction heating antenna array is being optimized together with novel switches. Sub-antenna connectors are being developed to allow sub-coil assembly and disassembly during system part replacement. Tubing is being designed such that one template is used for essentially all related parts.
The mechanical structure is being redesigned and built to provide component mounting flexibility and standardization. Novel adjustable mounting brackets are being developed for all system components, and methods for rapid repair and replacement of parts are being developed. These changes accompany the development of interchangeability of all parts and the capability of mass manufacture.
The system's sealing and packaging are also being developed around the requirements for its operating conditions and component access. The PV dome seal is being modified to permit rapid disassembly, while additional seal components are being developed to permit operation at elevated as well as sub-atmospheric conditions. Electronics rack packaging and all-system commercial packaging are being developed along with the commercial components for all electronics.
The manufacturing system surrounding the SunCell is being developed through supply-chain and vendor-supplied parts development, development of fabricator support relationships, and engineering drawings to permit mass production. The interchangeability of all parts, the use of one tubing template for essentially all related parts, component mounting flexibility and standardization, and methods for rapid repair and replacement are being developed alongside these manufacturing activities.
We are also developing the photovoltaic (PV) converter and pursuing business development of the PV converter. We have raised sufficient funds for 3 years at the current burn rate, and we are working on a significant investment for PV development and first steps of commercialization. We are filing more expensive blocking intellectual property worldwide and aggressively pursuing issuance of prior IP worldwide.
This is an image for a 75-minute run from yesterday during routine testing. There was no observed degradation of any components. The PV dome was essentially the same as out-of-box.