Deep Tech Briefing #1: Quantum Squeezing; New Horizon of Deep Tech Investments; Small Modular Reactors for AI Energy; Plastic Waste into Semiconductors; Iron-Air Batteries
An insider’s update to Deep Tech. Your dose of emerging technologies, startups, industrial innovations, and economics to stay ahead and capitalize on it.
In today's briefing, we will explore various revolutionary innovations that are shaping the future of energy, artificial intelligence (AI), and recycling. From promising partnerships between tech giants and French startups to the advancement of small modular reactors, to the transformation of plastic waste into high-tech semiconductors, the landscape of innovation is continuously evolving.
Revolutionizing Energy for Artificial Intelligence: The Emerging Role of Small Modular Reactors
“OpenAI CEO Altman says at Davos future AI depends on energy breakthrough” - Reuters
The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) is catalyzing innovative ambitions in the energy sector, particularly for nuclear startups developing Small Modular Reactors (SMR). This technology promises to meet the increasing energy demand generated by the expansion of AI, offering a reliable and carbon-free solution.
SMRs represent a significant breakthrough in nuclear energy production, thanks to their ability to be manufactured in a factory and then transported to the site for installation, thus reducing construction time and costs. Modularity also allows for flexible scalability, adapting to the specific needs of customers without the massive investment required by traditional reactors.
The startup X-energy is at the forefront of this revolution, aiming to provide power to data centers that fuel AI, which requires continuous and reliable power supply. CEO Clay Sell has emphasized the importance of reliability for 24-7 operations, a fundamental requirement for the effective functioning of data centers and AI infrastructures.
However, despite bipartisan support and funding from the United States Department of Energy through the Advanced Reactor Demonstration Projects (ARDP), SMRs face significant challenges. These include regulatory and financial hurdles, such as supply chain inflation and rising capital costs. Additionally, the cancellation of significant projects and the abandonment of plans for initial public offerings (IPOs) through Special Purpose Acquisition Companies (SPACs) underline the sector's volatility.
Despite these obstacles, the potential of SMRs in supporting the expansion of AI and the transition towards an electrified economy remains immense. They offer a clean and reliable energy solution that can play a crucial role in meeting the growing energy demand sustainably.
In summary, as SMRs navigate through market and regulatory challenges, their promise as clean and reliable energy sources for the era of artificial intelligence is unequivocal. The path toward widespread adoption will require continuous innovation and political and financial support, but the reward is a sustainable energy transformation that can power the digital future.
AI Revolution: Microsoft Invests in French Startup to Explore Entirely New Business Frontiers
Microsoft has recently announced a major partnership with the French startup