by newerapr | Feb 28, 2023 | Press Release
FOOTHILL RANCH, Calif. – As fusion developers around the world race to commercialize fusion energy, TAE Technologies has pioneered the pursuit of the cleanest and most economical path to providing electricity with hydrogen-boron (also known as p-B11 or p11B), an abundant, environmentally sound fuel. Today the company is announcing, in collaboration with Japan’s National Institute for Fusion Science (NIFS), a noteworthy research advancement: the first-ever hydrogen-boron fusion experiments in a magnetically confined fusion plasma.
In a peer-reviewed paper published by Nature Communications (“First measurements of p11B fusion in a magnetically confined plasma”), scientists explain the outcome of the nuclear fusion reaction of hydrogen-boron in an experiment in NIFS’ Large Helical Device (LHD). This paper describes the experimental work of producing the conditions necessary for hydrogen-boron fusion in the LHD plasma and TAE’s development of a detector to make measurements of the hydrogen-boron reaction products: helium nuclei, known as alpha particles. The finding reflects years of collaborative international scientific fusion research, and represents a milestone in TAE’s mission to develop commercial fusion power with hydrogen-boron, the cleanest, most cost-competitive, and most sustainable fuel cycle for fusion.
“This experiment offers us a wealth of data to work with, and shows that hydrogen-boron has a place in utility-scale fusion power. We know we can solve the physics challenge at hand and deliver a transformational new form of carbon-free energy to the world that relies on this non-radioactive, abundant fuel,” said Michl Binderbauer, CEO of TAE Technologies.
TAE is the world’s leading and largest private commercial fusion energy company, and this result represents an important step toward development of hydrogen-boron fusion. In layperson’s terms, the company is one step closer to the realization of a fusion power plant that will ultimately produce clean electricity, with only helium, also known as three alpha particles, as a byproduct. These three alpha particles are the hallmark of hydrogen-boron fusion energy, and inspired TAE’s founders to name the company Tri Alpha Energy, now TAE Technologies.
Pioneers in Fusion Science
More than 30 groups are now pursuing the development of fusion energy around the world, and approaches vary widely—from style of reactor configuration to the type of fuel the future reactors will rely on. Since TAE’s founding in 1998, the company has built five National Laboratory-scale devices and has successfully generated and confined fusion plasma more than 140,000 times. TAE is currently building and designing two more machines, Copernicus and Da Vinci, which will be able to demonstrate net energy and deliver power to the grid, respectively.
Inventing fusion reactors that produce net energy is one thing, delivering it as a reliable, grid-ready source of electricity is another. By choosing to pursue hydrogen-boron as a fuel cycle, TAE has anticipated the true demands of commercial, daily use of fusion energy. Most fusion efforts around the world are focused on combining hydrogen isotopes deuterium-tritium (D-T) to use as fuel, and the donut-shaped tokamak machines commonly used in fusion concepts are limited to D-T fuel. Unlike those efforts, TAE’s compact linear design uses an advanced accelerator beam-driven field-reversed configuration (FRC) that is versatile, and can accommodate all available fusion fuel cycles, including p-B11, D-T and deuterium-helium-3 (D-He3 or D3He). This benefit will uniquely enable TAE to license its technology on the way to its ultimate goal of connecting the first hydrogen-boron fusion power plant to the grid in the 2030s. With the FRC, TAE is advancing a modular and easy-to-maintain design that will have a compact footprint with the potential to take advantage of a more efficient magnetic confinement methodology, which will get up to 100x more power out, as compared to tokamaks.
As TAE’s colleagues at NIFS note, hydrogen-boron is considered an advanced fusion fuel because it “enable(s) the concept of cleaner fusion reactors. This achievement is a big first step towards the realization of a fusion reactor using advanced fusion fuel.”
As the paper published in Nature Communications puts it: “While the challenges of producing the fusion core are greater for p11B than D-T, the engineering of the reactor will be far simpler. … Stated simply, the p11B path to fusion trades downstream engineering challenges for present day physics challenges. And the physics challenges can be overcome.”
The hydrogen-boron approach is part of TAE’s core vision for commercial fusion energy, born of the company’s technology co-founder Dr. Norman Rostoker’s philosophy of keeping the “end in mind.” This vision for truly clean, abundant, cost-competitive energy is what sets TAE apart from a growing field of fusion companies. While this reaction did not produce net energy, it demonstrates viability of aneutronic fusion and reliance on hydrogen-boron.
TAE expects to demonstrate net energy on its next research reactor, Copernicus, around mid-decade.
Tradition of Scholarship and Collaboration
TAE announced its partnership with NIFS in 2021, teaming up with esteemed scholars at the inter-university research institute located in Toki City, Japan. The three-year joint research project bloomed from a longstanding collaboration between American and Japanese fusion researchers to explore aneutronic fusion.
About TAE Technologies
TAE Technologies (pronounced T-A-E) was founded in 1998 to develop commercial fusion power with the cleanest environmental profile. The company’s pioneering work represents the fastest, most practical, and economically competitive solution to bring abundant clean energy to the grid. With over 1,800 patents filed globally and over 1,100 granted, $1.2 billion in private capital raised, five generations of National Laboratory-scale devices built and two more in development, and an experienced team of over 500 employees, TAE is now on the cusp of delivering this transformational energy source capable of sustaining the planet for thousands of years.
The company’s revolutionary technologies have produced a robust portfolio of commercial innovations in large adjacent markets such as power management, energy storage, electric mobility, fast charging, life sciences, and more. TAE is based in California, and maintains international offices in the UK and Switzerland. Multidisciplinary and mission-driven by nature, TAE is leveraging proprietary science and engineering to create a bright future.
by newerapr | Feb 23, 2023 | Press Release
Brea, Calif., February 23, 2023 – Monoprice, the low-price leader in high-performance AV equipment, today announced the addition of five new 8K hardware solutions to its Blackbird line of prosumer AV products. With these new 8K capable HDMI splitters, switches and matrix solutions, Monoprice is making the transition to 8K extremely cost effective for home AV and enterprise customers.
“Our Blackbird line of prosumer AV solutions has long been a go-to source for home entertainment enthusiasts and integrators looking to create powerful and vastly capable AV systems,” said Rob Fleck, business unit manager, Monoprice. “With gaming, pro sports and streaming content services embracing 8K, the industry will continue growing its support for the format, with new content and TVs soon flooding the market. With these new Blackbird 8K-capable hardware solutions, we’re driving down the cost of building out ultra-immersive 8K home entertainment and commercial AV systems, making it affordable to be an early adopter.”
Perfect for maximizing resolution and frame rate requirements of the latest TVs and commercial displays, all new Blackbird 8K solutions support 8K video sources with frame rates up to 60Hz, and 4K video sources with frame rates up to 120Hz, and HDR, HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision and HLG passthrough. All feature advanced EDID management for manually setting video resolution capabilities. Excellent for professional and competitive gaming setups, they also support Variable Refresh Rates (VRR), Fast-as-Possible V-active (FVA), and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM). For those who demand that their audio match the performance of their new TV’s visual capabilities, all Blackbird 8K solutions support HDMI audio passthrough for multi-channel LPCM, Dolby and DTS audio formats. Each unit includes a wireless infrared remote for seamless control.
Blackbird 8K60 HDMI Switches
Blackbird 8K60 2×1 HDMI Switch (MSRP: $39.99) shares any two HDMI sources to an HDMI display, supporting the latest source outputs up to 8K/60Hz and 4:4:4 12-bit sampling. Wireless infrared remote is included for easy switching between sources.
Blackbird 8K60 2×1 HDMI Switch with Audio Extraction (MSRP: $149.99) provides the same HDMI switching functionality, resolution, frame rate and sampling as the Blackbird 8K/60Hz 2×1 HDMI Switch above but splits audio from the HDMI stream, allowing users to serve audio to their TV or display, as well as to an AV receiver or soundbar via a digital TOSLINK or analog 3.5mm aux connection.
Blackbird 8K60 HDMI Splitters
Blackbird 8K60 1×2 HDMI Splitter with Audio Extraction (MSRP: $149.99) distributes any HDMI source up to 8K/60Hz with 4:2:0 sampling and distributes it to up to two 8K HDMI displays. By decoupling the HDMI audio signal, this compact splitter can route HDMI audio to both displays, as well as digital and analog audio systems via TOSLINK and 3.5mm aux outputs.
Extending 8K content even further than the 1×2 splitter above, the Blackbird 8K60 1×4 HDMI Splitter with Audio Extraction (MSRP: $329.99) supports the same resolution, frame rate and sampling but can distribute any 8K/60Hz HDMI source to up to four 8K HDMI displays.
Blackbird 8K60 HDMI Matrix
The Blackbird 8K60 2×2 HDMI Matrix (MSRP: $179.99) serves double duty as an HDMI switch and splitter. It can serve content from two HDMI sources to two HDMI displays, and it can send content from one of the HDMI inputs to two displays simultaneously. By decoupling the source HDMI audio signals, this unit routes source HDMI audio to the displays, as well as connected audio systems via TOSLINK and 3.5mm aux outputs.
Customers that are looking to further enhance their 8K-capable AV systems without breaking the bank should also check out Monoprice’s vast lineup of high-speed 8K Certified HDMI cables, with length ranging from one to 100 feet.
All Blackbird 8K AV solutions are available immediately at monoprice.com.
Click here for press kit.
About Monoprice, Inc. (DBA Monoprice.com)
Located in Brea, Calif., Monoprice, Inc. is an e-commerce leader specializing in providing more than 7,500 high-quality yet affordable electronics and tech products. As an industry innovator, Monoprice fills a void in the consumer technology market by delivering exceptional products that are on par with the best-known national brands at prices far below the retail average with incomparable speed and service. Maintaining a business philosophy that focuses on the needs of its customers, the company strives to bring simplicity, fairness and confidence to consumers and businesses shopping for big-ticket electronics and tech accessories. For more information about Monoprice, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube and the Monoprice Blog.
by newerapr | Feb 7, 2023 | Press Release
Brea, Calif., February 7, 2023 – Monoprice, the best value in consumer electronics, today announces that it has entered into a distribution deal with Final Link Audio to offer Monolith home theater systems, speakers and subwoofers to channel and retail partners in Australia and New Zealand.
Shane Lewis, managing director at Final Link Audio, commented on the partnership, “Final Link only carries and supports the best audio products from around the world. When choosing who to work with, we heavily evaluate three criteria; design, performance, and affordability – all of which are areas that Monolith products from Monoprice have proven to outclass the competition. We’re confident our customers will love the value Monolith products add to our portfolio and look forward to growing our relationship with Monoprice.”
As part of this new distribution deal, Final Link Audio will offer a variety of premium Monolith home theater solutions, including but not limited to:
- Monolith THX Certified tower, bookshelf, center channel and satellite speakers
- Monolith THX Certified on-wall speakers
- Monolith THX Certified in-wall speakers
- Monolith THX Certified powered subwoofers
- Monolith THX Certified 5.1 Home Theater Speakers
- Monolith Encore line of tower, bookshelf, and center channel speakers
- Monolith Amplifiers, AV Processor and Cables
“The Monolith line of high-performance, value-packed audio solutions from Monoprice have been a favorite among US customers for years. We strongly believe that working with Final Link Audio to make Monolith products accessible to Australian customers will help Monoprice not only grow the brand’s sales worldwide, but also help us create a fanatic base of Monolith customers in new regions. By carrying Monolith products, Final Link Audio will have access to a vast selection of audio solutions that meet the needs of a broad range of customers and budgets,” said Bernard Luthi, CEO, Monoprice.
The Monolith brand from Monoprice has a solid reputation for premium performance and value. Every Monolith product is engineered to exceed the brand’s strict standards for delivering room-filling sound, while producing an incredibly flat frequency response curve. All Monolith speakers and subwoofers utilize premium components, are exhaustively tuned to perfection, and designed to look great in any environment.
For press inquiries, please contact New Era Communications at monoprice@wearenewera.com.
About Monoprice, Inc. (DBA Monoprice.com)
Located in Brea, Calif., Monoprice, Inc. is an e-commerce leader specializing in providing more than 7,500 high-quality yet affordable electronics and tech products. As an industry innovator, Monoprice fills a void in the consumer technology market by delivering exceptional products that are on par with the best-known national brands at prices far below the retail average with incomparable speed and service. Maintaining a business philosophy that focuses on the needs of its customers, the company strives to bring simplicity, fairness and confidence to consumers and businesses shopping for big-ticket electronics and tech accessories. For more information about Monoprice, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube and the Monoprice Blog.
by newerapr | Feb 2, 2023 | Press Release
Brea, Calif., Feb 2, 2023 – Build the racing or flight simulator rig of your dreams for less than you think. Dark Matter, the premium gaming accessories brand from Monoprice, today announced a new Triple Monitor Mount and a new GT Racing Wheel Stand. Combined, these two new products provide gamers the ultimate foundation for building an immersive simulator gaming rig that’s ideal for racing and flight sim games.
“Racing and flight simulator games are hot genres, but to truly maximize the fun of these games you must have a quality simulator rig,” said Andy Nguyen, Business Unit Manager, Monoprice. “With our new Dark Matter Triple Monitor Mount and GT Racing Wheel Stand, combined with our premium Dark Matter gaming monitors, customers can build extremely durable, vastly adjustable sim rigs capable of providing an incredibly realistic driving and cockpit experience without breaking the bank.”
Dark Matter GT Triple Monitor Mount – $249.99
Serving as an expansive window to the digital racetrack or open air, the new Triple Monitor Mount from Dark Matter can hold up to three 32-inch monitors, or a single curved 49-inch super ultrawide monitor. Dark Matter offers a variety of high-performance gaming displays that are perfect for racing simulator applications. With its all-metal construction, this heavy-duty mount provides the rigidity, durability, and weight needed to keep monitors stable, safe, and secure during intense competition. The foldable arms allow users to angle the side monitors to create a more immersive, peripheral-vision-filling viewing experience when used with three displays. The floor-standing design allows for a racing/cockpit chair to be added and is tall enough to be used behind any racing wheel/flight stick mount or standard sitting desk. It features wire guards to keep cables neatly organized and prevent them from being pinched.
Dark Matter GT Foldable Racing Wheel Stand – $169.99
Providing a seriously adjustable platform for creating a realistic in-car driving experience, the new GT Foldable Racing Stand is compatible with most racing wheels, gear shifters, and pedal sets. Like the Triple Monitor Mount, the GT Foldable Racing Wheel Stand features an all-metal design for extra rigidity and durability needed to keep racing controls planted during intense competition. It features a four-way adjustable steering wheel plate, a four-way adjustable pedal base for maximum comfort and to accommodate a variety of chair setups, and a detachable gear shift mounting platform that can be used for LHD and RHD car configurations. Wire guards help keep cables neatly organized and out of the way for a professional, arcade-worthy appearance.
The Dark Matter Triple Monitor Mount and Foldable GT Racing Mount are available immediately at Monoprice.com and are backed by a one-year warranty.
Click here for press kit materials
About Monoprice
Located in Brea, Calif., Monoprice, Inc. is an e-commerce leader specializing in providing more than 7,500 high-quality yet affordable electronics and tech products. As an industry innovator, Monoprice fills a void in the consumer technology market by delivering exceptional products that are on par with the best-known national brands at prices far below the retail average with incomparable speed and service. Maintaining a business philosophy that focuses on the needs of its customers, the company strives to bring simplicity, fairness, and confidence to consumers and businesses shopping for big-ticket electronics and tech accessories. For more information about Monoprice, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+, YouTube, and the Monoprice Blog.
