**Innovative Nuclear Energy Venture: A Family Affair Underground**
In a fascinating blend of science, family bonding, and entrepreneurship, an acclaimed physicist and his daughter are diving into the ground—literally—to revolutionize nuclear energy. Richard A. Muller, an 82-year-old physicist with a storied career, and his daughter, Elizabeth “Liz” Muller, are trailblazing a path with their startup, Deep Vision. Their plan? To bury tiny nuclear reactors a mile underground, potentially powering thousands of homes with a cleaner and more efficient energy source.
The duo’s journey began with many energetic hikes in the hills of Berkeley, California. On these walks, they shared coffee and exchanged ideas, a ritual that lasted over a decade. Richard, known for his modern carbon dating method and a MacArthur Genius Award winner, brought decades of scientific experience to the table. Meanwhile, Liz, who had immersed herself in international finance in Paris, aimed to harness her father’s brilliance to tap into the nuclear energy market, a topic she became more open to after witnessing France’s support for nuclear power as a clean solution to energy challenges.
The core idea behind Deep Vision is deceptively simple yet groundbreaking. They propose drilling a 30-inch borehole deep into the Earth and inserting a small nuclear reactor that heats water to produce steam. This steam will then rise through a separate pipe to turn a turbine, generating electricity. With one of these reactors capable of powering 12,000 homes, imagine clustering 70 of them and essentially powering a massive artificial intelligence data center. And to make it even sweeter, they project the cost to be about six cents per kilowatt-hour! It’s like finding gold at the end of the rainbow—only this gold can power our future.
Deep Vision has caught the eye of the DOE, landing a spot as one of ten companies in the Department of Energy’s reactor pilot program. This dedication to innovation has already helped the company raise an impressive $122 million, with a post-money valuation hitting the $1 billion mark. Liz serves as CEO, while Richard takes the reins as chief technical officer, demonstrating a fascinating synergy between the worlds of business and scientific inquiry. With stakes held by both the father and daughter duo, as well as significant backing from investors, Deep Vision is poised for impressive growth.
As they forge ahead with their first test borehole in Parsons, Kansas—an area with a history linked to WWII munitions production—the Mullers aim to reach criticality (a self-sustaining chain reaction) and possibly start selling commercial power by 2027. This timeline puts them ahead of their competition, as many other startups backed by the DOE trail behind, still in the early stages of development.
While the nuclear debate often sparks heated emotions, the Mullers are committed to demystifying the technology and showcasing its benefits. They believe that their closed-loop system—which reuses water and minimizes danger—could lead to a new, safer era for nuclear energy. As they continue their quest, it remains to be seen how this innovative venture will unfold, but one thing is clear: the Mullers take a unique approach to solving some of our planet’s pressing energy challenges, and it all began with a simple walk in the hills. What a journey it has been—and the best is yet to come!
