Greg Hodgin

Greg Hodgin is the CEO of ZC Institute. He graduated from Emory University with a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry and from Georgia State University with a Bachelor’s degree in History, and a Master’s and Ph.D. in Political Science. He has tussled with the Russians at the United Nations (and won) and defended and expounded refugee and IDP rights on the floor of the UN on two continents. He has also had two machetes and an AK-47 shoved in his face while doing field work. He is an avid gamer, which helps sharpen his diplomatic skill set. He is currently serving as the CEO of ZC Institute, a fusion startup that is engaging in quantum spacetime distortion research to create microfusion reactors, turning sci-fi into reality, one bubble at a time.

Presentations at Shore Leave 45 (2025):

Nanoscopic Spacetime distortion, microfusion, and sublight propulsion (Or warp drive? Let’s make it so!)

Ever since Miguel Alcubierre’s seminal 1994 on spacetime distortion, theoretical physicists have spent the time attempting to create viable spacetime distortions with energies that are reachable in the lab. However, most of these papers and attempts were attempting to create macroscopic distortions without considering the power source needed. Recent research has shown that the energy required to create a nanoscopic spacetime distortion is reachable in a well-equipped laboratory. This presentation will discuss this new set of research, along with how nanoscopic spacetime distortions can help humanity attain terrestrial nuclear fusion. With nuclear fusion, this allows for the possibility of macroscopic spacetime distortions, and yes, that means exactly what you think it means. Can we build the Enterprise anytime soon? Probably not. But the Phoenix (humanity’s first faster-than-light ship) is closer than you might think.