About this episode

Three pioneers of fusion science discuss high-field magnet development and the potential of lunar helium-3 for energy production.

Three pioneers of fusion science and engineering join Priyanca Ford: magnet designers Dr. Bob Weggel and Dr. Carl Weggel, whose work at MIT’s Francis Bitter Magnet Laboratory pushed the limits of high-field magnets, and Dr. Gerald Kulcinski, a founding voice of advanced low-neutron fusion fuels and the helium-3 fuel cycle. Together they trace the history of high-field magnet development, the promise of lunar helium-3, and why direct energy conversion could reshape how fusion makes power.

People in this episode

Host: Priyanca Ford

Guests: Dr. Bob Weggel, Dr. Carl Weggel, Dr. Gerald Kulcinski

Topics covered

• fusion science
• high-field magnets
• helium-3
• lunar resources
• energy conversion

Keywords

• fusion
• magnets
• helium-3
• energy conversion
• lunar resources
• high-field magnets
• nuclear fusion

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: MIT, Francis Bitter Magnet Laboratory

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• Fifty Years & the Next Generation — Confinement, Collaboration & Fusion’s Workforce Dr. Guido Van Oost · July 19, 2026 · 1h 16m
• Designing for Safety — Risk, Reliability & the New Golden Age of Nuclear - Dr. Curtis Smith · July 19, 2026 · 58 min
• Plasma Meets the Wall — Disruptions, Materials & Simulating Fusion’s Extremes Dr. Ahmed Hassanein · July 19, 2026 · 49 min
• The Physics of Heat — Nanoscale Thermal Transport & Fusion’s Toughest Engineering Problem Dr. Patrick Hopkins · July 19, 2026 · 47 min

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