Dr. Bruce J. Nelson Distinguished Speaker Series: Brandon Sorbom

Details Harvey Mudd College welcomes Brandon Sorbom, chief science officer and co-founder of Commonwealth Fusion Systems. He has been recognized by MIT Technology Review (35 Innovators under 35) and TIME magazine (World’s Most Influential Rising Stars). At a time when the world is looking for bold solutions to combat climate change, Sorbom is leading a revolution in clean energy. From creating a tabletop fusion device as an undergraduate to leading the ARC Reactor design study as a grad student, Sorbom has exemplified the transformative power of curiosity, rigorous science and a deep commitment to global stewardship. Join us for an inspiring program that explores the frontier of fusion energy, the ethical responsibilities of technological innovation and his entrepreneurial journey. “Our Fusion Future: Bringing the Power of the Stars to Earth” Fusion is the process that powers the Sun and all the stars. Humans have known how fusion works for over 100 years but, unlike the stars, which use their massive gravitational pull to keep their fusion plasma hot, we have to use other ways to confine fusion plasmas on Earth. Sorbom will present a brief overview of the different ways people have tried to harness fusion on Earth as an energy source and share the progress of the company he co-founded, Commonwealth Fusion Systems, to take this technology from the lab to the world. Sorbom will also share his own personal journey from academia to industry and explain why each of us is an entrepreneur, whether we know it or not. Speaker Brandon Sorbom co-founded Commonwealth Fusion Systems with the goal of commercializing fusion energy in time to combat climate change. As chief science officer, he leads the scientific direction and R&D efforts of the company. In addition, he leads the company’s efforts to advance the design of Commonwealth Fusion Systems’ commercial fusion power plant, ARC. Sorbom is mission-driven to fight climate change and believes that commercial fusion power can be a critical solution. He studied fusion at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) because of its massive potential as a limitless clean energy source. While working on his PhD there, Sorbom was lead author of the paper that proposed the original design for ARC that inspired the founding of Commonwealth Fusion Systems in 2018. A regular scientific presenter and academic speaker, Sorbom earned a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering and engineering physics from Loyola Marymount University and a PhD in nuclear science and engineering from MIT. He was also named a “35 Under 35” Honoree by MIT Technology Review.