2017

Steve learns about the dense plasma focus (DPF) fusion device when helping with the documentary Let There Be Light.

2018

The Nobel Prize in Physics is awarded to ultrafast lasers, which are also new. A thought forms.

2019

March 17th pub meeting with Paul in Aix-en-Provence (FR): “What about combining ultrafast lasers with a DPF?” “I don’t think anyone has tried it yet.”

2020

Steve moves back to Canada just in time for the pandemic.

2021

A comprehensive review of DPF scientific papers reveals a rich and underappreciated field of study, and many overlaps with the physics of mainstream magnetic fusion machines.

A test device is built with $200 in parts from China, a 3D printer, and a mason jar.

Steve reads Paul’s book on what happens when you shoot things with ultrafast lasers.

2022

First trip to Eindhoven (NL), a prime location because it is home to ASML and Project Elpis has technical overlaps with EUV lithography, making the local expertise and supply chain very attractive. Gert and Steve start to hang out.

A deep dive into the world of ultrafast lasers. Steve learns to run the EPOCH laser simulation software.

The conceptual design for a micro fusion power plant is completed.

2023

Second trip: Paul, Gert, and Steve have dinner at a Bavarian restaurant in Cologne and formally commit to Project Elpis.

The decision is made to proceed as an open science, non-profit focused research organization (FRO).

Joris starts his Masters project.

An extended period of EPOCH simulations to study laser pulse sequencing and complex geometries.

First approach to philanthropists.

2024

Miranda joins Project Elpis.

Third trip: Visits with potential strategic partners. The technical case is presented to several audiences for review.

Elpis Fusion is registered in Europe via the Estonian e-residency program.

The Juelich Supercomputing Center provides the first formal Letter of Support.

Meetings with several foundations, confirming that raising money for an ambitious fusion FRO is very difficult.

The first spin-off company, Nexus Fusion, is formulated to self-fund Project Elpis.

2025

Gert frees up more time.

First investor! Feels amazing. The prototype machine will be called “Patricia.”

A crowdsourcing effort launches and immediately fizzles — will revisit in the future.

A European Commission (EC) grant application was deferred — a mistake in hindsight.

Given the difficulty of funding FROs, the business model has evolved to FRO-inspired.

Applying to the Big if True Science Accelerator (UK, DE) and The Creative Destruction Lab (CA).

Nexus Fusion attends an investor conference in Silicon Valley and is preparing an EC grant application.

EuroHPC (EU) awarded 15 million CPU hours on the LUMI (FI) supercomputer, running from August 1st of this year to July 31, 2026, with all results to be published in an open science journal.