PROJECT OVERVIEW- WHAT IS SPiZF?

SPiZF (Stabilized Plasmain Z-Pinch Fusion)is a revolutionary private fusion energy project developed by ECOR-ETS, led by Prof. Dr. Subrata Pradhan (former project leader of India’s SST-1 Tokamak). Unlike mainstream fusion technologies based on Tokamak or Inertial Laser confinement, SPiZF utilizes a novel shear-flow stabilized Z-pinch configuration that is a novel alternate magnetic fusion confinement

This approach offers:

• Fusion-level plasma temperatures (>100 million °C) with sufficiently high plasma densities to realize fusion triple product (Lawson Criterion)
• Plasma current in the Z-pinch configurations of ~ 500 KA or more with a duration of hundreds of microseconds and repeatable several times a second.
• High neutron yields without complex and expensive cryogenics or superconducting systems
• Compact "garage-scale" reactor design
• Cost-effective energy production with all indigenous components

SPiZF aims to demonstrate nuclear fusion and power extraction by 2030, placing India at the forefront of affordable, green fusion electricity.

The technology leverages advanced chemical pathways including poly-cyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) formation and H-abstraction-acetylene-addition (HACA) to drive over 99% conversion efficiency. Rapid yet controlled gas quenching, real-time gas analytics, and closed-loop impurity separation systems ensure high purity of final products and minimal environmental footprint.

DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY & PROJECT STAGES

SPiZF (Stabilized Plasmain Z-Pinch Fusion)is a revolutionary private fusion energy project developed by ECOR-ETS, led by Prof. Dr. Subrata Pradhan (former project leader of India’s SST-1 Tokamak). Unlike mainstream fusion technologies based on Tokamak or Inertial Laser confinement, SPiZF utilizes a novel shear-flow stabilized Z-pinch configuration that is a novel alternate magnetic fusion confinement

Technology Development and Validation

Stage – I
Subdivided into two critical phases
focused on engineering and physical validation

Phase I – Engineering Validation (Months 0–24)

This phase aims to establish the engineering feasibility of the SPiZF system through detailed simulations, subsystem prototyping, and integrated design testing. It will lay the technical groundwork required for physical implementation.

Deliverables

• Pulse Power Development: Use of silicon carbide-based solid-state high- voltage/high-current pulse generators.
• Fast Gas Puffing System: Hydrogen and deuterium gas injectors.
• Mega-ampere Electrodes: High heat flux, fast-pulse tolerant electrode systems.
• Plasma Diagnostics: Real-time diagnostics for plasma current, temperature, density, and fusion neutron yield.
• Pb-Li Loop: Closed-loop neutron-to-electricity conversion design.

Phase II – Proof-of-Principle Demonstration (Months 25–36)

Building on the engineering foundation of Phase I, this phase will involve the physical realization of the core SPiZF mechanism. It will demonstrate key functional parameters in a controlled experimental setup, validating the scientific principles underlying the stabilized plasma confinement process.

Milestones

• Achieve plasma temperatures >100 million °C
• Electron temperatures >1 crore °C (1 keV)
• Demonstrate thermos-nuclear fusion neutrons without cryogenics, superconductors, or lasers or expensive heating and power systems
• Experimental road-map to an achievable Fusion Triple Product i.e. Lawson Criterion (product of temperature, density, and confinement time)
• Show neutron generation equivalent to experimental fusion benchmarks
• Establish SPiZF as the lowest-cost fusion neutron source
• Demonstrate ability to carry ~10x the electric current of a lightning bolt

Stage – II
Commercialization Roadmap Development (Months 37–60)

Following successful validation, Stage II will focus on developing a detailed commercialization roadmap. This includes techno-economic modelling, risk analysis,scale-up planning, and the identification of industrial applications and partnerships for the future deployment of SPiZF fusion technology.

Deliverables

• Demonstration of break-even condition for thermo-nuclear fusion conditions in SPiZF (Q > 1)
• Demonstration of in-situ tritium breeding with a ratio in excess of 1.1 (and hence would be a circular and sustainable technology in the commercial realization phase)
• Demonstration of a commercial road-map of SPiZF based fusion derived zero carbon electricity

PERFORMANCE TARGETS

Parameter	Scientific Breakeven	Engineering Breakeven	Power Plant Target
Pinch Current (Ipinch, MA)	0.5 – 0.6	~ 1.0	1.2 – 1.5
Electron Density(m⁻³)	5×10²⁵	1×10²⁶	1.5×10²⁶
Temperature (T, keV)	3.5	~ 10	15 – 30
Plasma Lifetime (τp, µs)	100	150	200
Fusion Energy(Efus, MJ)	0.07	1.0	20.0

HOW SPiZF IS DIFFERENT

• Non-Tokamak, Non-Laser Based: Avoids high-cost magnetic coils and cryogenics, lasers, heating systems and power supplies
• Compact Footprint: Can be operated in standardindustrial lab space.
• Portability
• Indigenous & Affordable: Designed with domestic expertise and minimal foreign dependency.
• Faster Commercialization: Compared to ITER's timelines (~2040+or beyond), SPiZF aims for electricity demonstration by 2030.
• Proprietary Innovations: Distinct from ZAP Energy (USA); improved stabilization and cost-effectiveness.

EXISTING LANDSCAPE& STRATEGIC POSITIONING

India currently hosts three private fusion ventures:

• AnuBal: Inertial laser fusion with Proton and B11 reactions
• Pranus: Tight Aspect Ratio Tokamak-based fusion (Spheromak)
• Hylenr: Cold fusion, (low energy neutron reaction based)research

SPiZF is India’s first and only Z-pinch based shear-flow stabilized fusion initiative. Globally, the closest comparable initiative is ZAP Energy(USA), but SPiZF aims for a leapfrog by leveraging proprietary enhancements and India-centric engineering.