Ep 123: Dennis Whyte, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

In this episode we discuss...


Dennis’ background and personal journey in the nuclear
industry

A deep dive into tokamaks and their innerworkings

The definition of a plasma

Why heat and density are crucial to successful fusion and the
material challenges involved

How tritium is extracted from lithium

Requirements to prevent coolant itself from becoming
radioactive

Design challenges surrounding fusion systems including pumps
and their inability to distinguish between helium and unburned
fuel

The physics of magnetism

Dennis’ mission to change the global nuclear industry through
his work at MIT to make fusion economically viable