In this episode of the Kronos Fusion Energy Podcast, Philippe Lebrun joins Priyanca Ford to discuss cryogenics, superconducting magnets, and particle accelerator technology—and how these systems quietly underpin modern science and energy research.

With more than four decades at CERN, Philippe played a foundational role in the development and industrialization of superconducting accelerator systems, including those that enabled the Large Hadron Collider. The conversation explores why cryogenics is essential for high magnetic fields, why room-temperature superconductors remain elusive, and how accelerator technologies extend far beyond fundamental research into industry, medicine, nuclear energy, and fusion.

As an Audit Committee Member at Kronos Fusion Energy, Philippe brings a systems-level perspective on reliability, validation, and long-horizon technical risk—offering insight into what it takes to translate advanced physics into dependable, real-world energy systems.

This episode offers a rare, systems-level view of how superconductivity, accelerators, and cryogenics quietly enable much of modern science and energy research—and why these technologies remain central to the future of fusion energy.

In this episode of the Kronos Fusion Energy Podcast, we are joined by Jack Dongarra, one of the foundational architects of modern high-performance scientific computing and the 2021 winner of the ACM A.M. Turing Award, the highest honor in computer science.

Jack Dongarra is internationally recognized for his pioneering contributions to numerical linear algebra and high-performance computing, including the development of software libraries such as LINPACK and LAPACK, which form the mathematical backbone of much of today’s scientific computing ecosystem and tools like MATLAB. His career spans decades at the intersection of mathematics, computer science, and large-scale scientific simulation, with leadership roles across U.S. national laboratories and the Department of Energy computing programs.

In this conversation with Priyanca Ford, Founder & CEO of Kronos Fusion Energy, Jack reflects on his personal journey—from early academic challenges to shaping the foundations of modern scientific computing—and explains how computation has evolved from supporting infrastructure into a true scientific instrument. The discussion explores why most supercomputers fail to reach their theoretical performance, the importance of co-design across algorithms, hardware, and applications, and how AI complements—but does not replace—physics-based numerical methods.

As a Scientific Advisor to Kronos Fusion Energy, Jack also discusses what it takes to build trustworthy, predictive simulations for safety-critical systems, including verification, validation, uncertainty quantification, and the role of digital twins in fusion energy development.

This episode covers:

• High-performance computing and numerical algorithms
• AI and physics-based simulation
• Supercomputer architecture and energy costs
• Co-design and future computing systems
• Fusion energy digital twins and scientific validation

This is both a masterclass in scientific computing and a deeply human conversation about curiosity, resilience, and the people behind the code.

In this episode, Dr. Konstantin Batygin, a distinguished planetary scientist and professor at Caltech, delves into the latest advancements in fusion energy, the potential of the upcoming Vera Rubin Observatory in discovering Planet X, and the transformative role of artificial intelligence and quantum computing in scientific research. He also shares insights into his ongoing research on Jupiter's formation and his musical endeavors with The Seventh Season, a Los Angeles-based rock band. This episode offers a unique blend of cutting-edge science and personal passion, providing listeners with an engaging and informative experience.

https://www.konstantinbatygin.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/konstantin-batygin-38639415/

https://theseventhseason.band/

In today's episode, we delve into several captivating topics:

• Planet X and Telescope Developments: Konstantin discusses the upcoming Vera Rubin Observatory, set to become operational by 2025, and its potential role in discovering Planet X.
• Differences Between JWST and Vera Rubin Observatory: We explore the distinctions between the James Webb Space Telescope, optimized for close observations and spectrum analysis, and the Vera Rubin Observatory, designed for wide-field searches.
• Fusion and Material Science Links: Konstantin explains how particle accelerators are utilized in fusion and material science, particularly in isotope production, and touches on advancements like Accelerator Driven Systems (ADS) and accelerator-driven fusion for material innovations.
• Muon Catalyzed Fusion: We delve into the concept of muons as heavy particles that could theoretically drive fusion reactions, discussing their limitations due to short lifespans and decay tendencies.
• Cold Fusion and Superconductors: The potential for future cold fusion generators is examined, including the need for advancements in superconductors and material science.
• AI’s Role in Fusion and Multi-dimensional Calculations: Konstantin highlights AI's potential to handle complex simulations and optimize fusion reactor stability, especially with quantum computing's capability to manage multi-dimensional calculations.
• Quantum Computing: We discuss the journey from theoretical quantum mechanics to practical quantum computing and how its unique data handling through qubits could enhance complex simulations in fusion.
• Historical Perspective on Scientific Progress: Konstantin provides insights into historical breakthroughs, such as the delay between early quantum theories and quantum computing, and examples of significant inventions like Fourier Transforms.
• Research on Jupiter's Formation: We explore Konstantin's ongoing research into Jupiter’s primordial state, using the orbital dynamics of its moons to infer conditions billions of years ago.
• Excitement for the Future of Fusion and Astronomy: The episode concludes with a discussion on the potential impact of next-generation telescopes and fusion technology in the near future.

Join us as we explore these fascinating subjects and more.

In this episode, we feature Sushma Bhatia, a Board Advisor at Kronos Fusion Energy with a wealth of experience in environment and legislative affairs. With a career spanning over two decades, Sushma's expertise bridges the worlds of public service, consulting, startups, and leading technology firms. She currently serves as the Director of GTM Sales Tools at Google, where she leads a team of product managers and engineers to develop state-of-the-art sales and partnership tools.

Sushma's profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sushmabhatia/

Beyond her role at Google, Sushma is a board member for the State of California's Board of Environmental Safety, appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom, where she provides strategic guidance on key environmental safety issues. Her background includes serving as the global head of strategy and operations for payments and next billion users at Google, as well as holding senior roles at Accenture, where she was a business strategy executive and chief of staff for the office of the CMT Chief Technology Officer.

Today, Sushma plays an essential role at Kronos Fusion Energy, guiding the company’s strategic direction in environmental and legislative affairs. Her expertise is vital in navigating the complex landscape of sustainable energy policy and advocating for a greener, more sustainable future.

Join us as we explore Sushma’s journey, from her early days in technology and public service to her insights on sustainability and fusion energy. We’ll discuss her contributions to environmental safety and her vision for a cleaner future. If you’re passionate about technology, sustainability, and the path towards a fusion-powered world, this episode is for you.

KronosFusionEnergy.com

In this episode, we feature Ruben Fair, a Board Advisor at Kronos Fusion Energy and a leading expert in magnet design and magnetic shielding. With a career spanning over three decades, Ruben's experience is rooted in both industrial and research-based roles. He has led significant projects at Oxford Instruments, General Electric Power Conversion, and Jefferson Laboratory, contributing to the design and operation of superconducting magnets, hydro generators, and other groundbreaking technologies.

Ruben's profile : https://www.linkedin.com/in/rubenfair/

Ruben on research gate : https://www.researchgate.net/scientific-contributions/Ruben-J-Fair-2052422318

Today, Ruben plays a pivotal role at Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, where he leads the US ITER team responsible for designing and constructing diagnostic instruments for the international fusion experiment ITER. At Kronos Fusion Energy, Ruben's expertise in magnet design and shielding is instrumental in developing the S.M.A.R.T. fusion energy generator, a key step towards clean and sustainable energy.

Join us as we dive deep into Ruben's journey, from his early days in heavy power engineering to his current role in fusion energy. We'll explore the challenges, innovations, and future prospects of fusion technology. If you're interested in cutting-edge engineering, superconducting magnets, and the path towards a fusion-powered future, this episode is for you.

KronosFusionEnergy.com

In this episode, we talk with Carl Weggel, a central figure at Kronos Fusion Energy and the lead designer of our patented S.M.A.R.T. Fusion Generators. Carl has over fifty years of experience in tokamak and fusion generator design. We discuss his journey from working with the legendary Dr. D. Bruce Montgomery at MIT on the Alcator 'C' tokamak to his role as Chief Scientist at Kronos.

Carl's Profile

Dr. Carl Weggel on Linkedin

Carl shares his thoughts on the challenges and rewards of fusion energy, the significance of superconductors in modern technology, and the evolving landscape of fusion energy commercialization. Learn about his groundbreaking work in developing compact, ultra-high-field tokamak pathways and the patented S.M.A.R.T. 40 generators. This episode offers an insightful look into the future of fusion energy and Carl's passion for sustainable solutions

KronosFusionEnergy.com

In this episode of the Kronos Fusion Energy Podcast, I'm joined by Martin Owens, our Chief Strategy Officer and Board Advisor. With over 35 years of experience in advanced nuclear reactors and project management, Martin brings a wealth of knowledge to our team. Currently, he's a Senior Director at Los Alamos National Laboratory, leading capital project execution. Before joining Kronos Fusion Energy, Martin was the EPC Director at GE Hitachi, where he managed nuclear reactor and fuel development programs.

Martin Owens' Profile

Martin's journey into nuclear energy started with an unexpected job at BWXT Nuclear Operations Group, Inc., where he helped develop advanced reactors for the Navy. He talks about how nuclear technology has evolved, the challenges in nuclear energy, and how his experience guides our efforts at Kronos Fusion Energy. This conversation offers unique insights into the strategic landscape of fusion energy and what we're doing to achieve energy independence. Don't miss it!

KronosFusionEnergy.com

In this episode of the Kronos Fusion Energy Podcast, I'm joined by Paul Weiss, our Chief Material Scientist and Board Advisor. Paul is a distinguished nanoscientist and material science expert with a career marked by groundbreaking achievements. He has co-authored over 400 research publications, holds more than 40 patents, and has been recognized with numerous prestigious awards. Currently affiliated with UCLA, Paul was the Fred Kavli Chair in NanoSystems Sciences and served as the director of the California NanoSystems Institute.

Paul's profile at UCLA "https://www.chemistry.ucla.edu/directory/weiss-paul-s/

We discuss Paul's journey from his early days at MIT to his pioneering work with the scanning tunneling microscope. Paul shares insights into his passion for nanotechnology and how it has influenced various fields, from electronics to medicine. We also explore the challenges and opportunities in fusion energy, focusing on material science's crucial role in developing the S.M.A.R.T. 40 fusion energy generator. This episode is packed with information about the impact of nanotechnology and how innovations in material science are driving the future of fusion energy.

KronosFusionEnergy.com