Fusion
Fusion is expected to reach widespread adoption around 2065, according to the 311 Institute 2025 Emerging Technology Starburst.
Fusion is a form of power generation where energy is generated by harnessing nuclear fusion reactions in order to produce heat for electricity generation.
Lifecycle
- Idea: 1930
- Concept: 1947
- Prototype: 1950
- First product: 2030
- Widespread adoption: 2065
Breadth of impact: Moderate industries. Featured on 9 of 9 Starburst editions since 2017.
Latest 311 research
- AI helped a teenager build a $2,000 mini fusion reactor in his bedroom (2025-02-09)
- China's EAST sets a new fusion record of 1,000 seconds (2025-02-07)
- US startup Acceleron advances Cold Fusion technology (2025-02-05)
33 related articles in total.
The 311 Institute Starburst Centre
The Starburst Centre maps the emerging technologies and trends that will shape the next fifty years. It brings together two interactive maps: the Griffin Emerging Technology Starburst, which places each technology by the year it is expected to reach widespread adoption, and the Trends Starburst, which organises trends into macro forces, business functions and sectors. Both are researched and curated by futurist Matthew Griffin and the 311 Institute, and updated every year.
How to read the Technology Starburst
Each ring is a year of expected widespread adoption, from 2025 at the centre to 2075 at the edge. Bigger dots affect more industries. Triangles mark general purpose technologies, which could transform many industries at once, and a star marks technologies new to the latest edition.
How to read the Trends Starburst
Macro forces (political, economic, societal, technological and environmental) sit at the centre, business-function trends in the middle ring and sector trends at the edge. Each colour is one of 37 categories.
How items are chosen
The 311 Institute tracks more than 1,000 emerging technologies. Each is scored on its lifecycle, from idea to widespread adoption, and on factors including accessibility, affordability and investment. Only the most promising, each with an addressable market of at least $500bn, make the Technology Starburst. Trends are drawn from the 311 Annual Trends Codex.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Griffin Emerging Technology Starburst?
The Griffin Emerging Technology Starburst is an annual map of the emerging technologies expected to shape the next fifty years. Created by futurist Matthew Griffin and the 311 Institute, it places each technology by the year it is expected to reach widespread adoption, from 2025 to beyond 2075.
How many technologies are on the 2025 Starburst?
The 2025 edition features 167 technologies across 13 categories, including 32 general purpose technologies and 14 technologies new to this edition.
How are the technologies chosen?
The 311 Institute tracks more than 1,000 emerging technologies and scores each on its lifecycle, from idea to widespread adoption, and on factors including accessibility, affordability and investment. Only the most promising, each with an addressable market of at least $500bn, make the Starburst.
What does a technology's position on the Starburst mean?
The distance from the centre shows the year a technology is expected to reach widespread adoption: the closer to the centre, the sooner. Dot size shows how many industries it could impact, and triangles mark general purpose technologies.
What is the Trends Starburst?
The Trends Starburst maps 266 trends in three layers: macro forces such as political and economic change at the centre, trends transforming business functions in the middle, and sector-specific trends at the edge. It is drawn from the 311 Annual Trends Codex.
How often is the Starburst updated?
A new Technology Starburst has been published every year since 2017, making nine editions to date. The trends are updated as new research is published.
Can I use the Starburst in my own presentations?
Yes, with credit. Please cite the 311 Institute and link to the Starburst Centre. Every technology and trend has a cite-this option, and posters of each edition are available to download.
Every technology and trend, A to Z
Each entry has its own page with its outlook, lifecycle and related 311 research.