California engineers develop plasma tunnel-boring machine for secure underground infrastructure

Engineers in California are pioneering a new method for tunnel boring with a machine that uses super-heated plasma to carve through solid granite. The tunnel-boring machine (TBR), developed by EarthGrid, tested successfully earlier this year, demonstrating its ability to melt rock at temperatures exceeding 27,000C. This innovation could revolutionize the way critical infrastructure, such as electricity and telecommunications cables, is installed underground, making the process faster and more efficient.

The demand for underground infrastructure has surged recently, driven in part by geopolitical tensions, notably Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Such conflicts have highlighted the vulnerabilities of above-ground facilities to drone attacks and other threats. Troy Helming, founder and CEO of EarthGrid, noted he has received numerous inquiries from companies interested in using the TBR for vital projects, including pipelines and data centers. The technology aims to enhance the resilience of essential services by burying them underground, where they are less susceptible to damage.

During the January test, EarthGrid's TBR successfully bored through three meters of granite, but Helming acknowledged that the machine "over-bored" slightly off target. His team plans to refine the technology by adjusting the machine's vortex to correct this issue. If successful, the TBR could see commercial deployment as early as next year, paving the way for a new era of underground construction.

The trend towards undergrounding isn't limited to California. Experts have observed a "data bunker boom," with more data centers being constructed underground to protect sensitive information and infrastructure. A recent example includes a data center built 100 meters below ground in Italy's Dolomite Mountains. As the world grapples with increasing threats, this shift toward subterranean solutions reflects a growing recognition of the importance of protecting critical technology and infrastructure from external dangers.