The critical tech staying safe by going underground
Summary
A new tunnel boring machine developed by EarthGrid uses super-hot plasma to quickly melt through hard rock like granite, making it easier and faster to build underground tunnels. This technology could help place important infrastructure like power cables, data centers, and pipelines underground, which is safer and more secure from attacks or weather damage.Key Facts
- EarthGrid’s machine uses plasma torches reaching 27,000°C, hotter than the Sun’s surface, to melt rock.
- In January, the machine successfully bored through three meters of granite in a California test.
- The machine creates a tornado-like vortex to remove debris, sometimes turning it into lava.
- More companies want to put cables and pipelines underground due to security concerns from conflicts, like Russia’s war with Ukraine.
- EarthGrid plans to improve the machine so it drills straighter tunnels by changing vortex direction every five minutes.
- There is growing interest in underground data centers, like Italy’s Trentino DataMine, which uses natural rock protection and cooling.
- Underground infrastructure helps protect against physical attacks, electromagnetic interference, earthquakes, and flooding.
- The technology may be used commercially as soon as next year, including potential transport tunnels to reduce truck traffic.
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