So is the need for nuclear isotopes used to detect cancer in medical environments as a percentage of cancer in the western region, and globally, as they tack upwards due to lifestyle and environmental pollution. However, due to many reactors scheduled for shutdowns in the 70s and 80s, the materials used are becoming more unusual and more expensive. Now, startups from Bristol, UK, want to use new and radical technologies to enhance the production of these materials.
Co-founded by Talmon Firestone and Dr. Tom Wallce-Smith, Astral Systems employs what is called multi-state fusion (MSF) technology in its “compact reactors” and is a source of nucleotopes supply used in modern medicine. It allows for increased. These reactors are actually very compact and can fit on your average desk.
Astral is currently shutting down more than £4.5 million investments led by Austria-based VC SpeedInvest and UK-based Playfair.
The company says its approach will commercialize MSF technology and improve performance by being more efficient and lower cost than traditional nuclear reactors.
This approach employs the so-called lattice confinement fusion (LCF), the first concept found by NASA. This allows the company to achieve solid fuel density 400 million times higher than what is normally achieved.
![](https://techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Astral-team-photo-1-1.jpg?w=680)
Drawing on previous research from NASA, Astral claims that its platform could lead to other applications such as secure hybrid nuclear energy, space exploration, and industrial and security industries applications.
Dr. Tom Wallace-Smith, co-founder and CTO of Astral, told TechCrunch:
“On the other hand, what we’re proposing is to place them underground in industrial units or hospitals or production centres. Then, they produce drugs accurately where they need them, and then they’re going to have to do so, and these centralized It reduces dependence on production sites,” he added.
He believes that competitors are constrained by existing technology. “Most other approaches are based on linear acceleration technology, but what we do is to implement 2020 physics, which is essentially a very high TRL core architecture and have a very high ceiling. “It’s about performance. So, we’re just at the beginning of what’s possible with this,” he said.
In a statement, SpeedInvest partner Rick Hao added: Astral offers a fresh approach to nuclear fusion that meets urgent medical, industrial and electricity needs. ”
So far, Astral has established three commercial fusion facilities, which have already made revenue from it.
Also participating in the round were attended by Angel Investors, including Oliver Buck, founder of ITM Isotope Technologies, and Pete Hutton, former ARM president of the Product Group.
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