Fusion firm CFS receives $85 million federal grant for chip development
The Department of Commerce awarded Commonwealth Fusion Systems funds to build specialized power electronics, a move that also grants the government an equity stake in the company.
By Isabel Moretti ·
Commonwealth Fusion Systems announced on Thursday that it will receive $85 million from the U.S. government to create advanced semiconductors for fusion power plants. The funds originate from a CHIPS Act award issued by the Department of Commerce. As part of the agreement, the government will hold a stake in the company. CFS stated that the capital will expand domestic manufacturing capacity and boost research and development.
The award lands as the company prepares to activate its Sparc reactor. CFS targets a switch-on date sometime next year. While a single reactor demonstrates feasibility, commercial fusion requires a fleet of plants. That expansion demands durable power electronics and a stable supply chain. Brandon Sorbom, the company’s co-founder and chief science officer, wrote in a blog post that the goal is a more capable and economical power plant supported by a stronger U.S. supply chain.
The $85 million will support five specific initiatives. The primary focus is the advancement of silicon carbide power electronics. These semiconductors manage high voltages and appear in electric vehicles, data centers, and cell phone base stations. In fusion machines, they handle intense electrical bursts that drive superconducting magnets to confine plasma.
CFS also plans to develop next-generation radio-frequency power generators. The company uses these devices to heat fusion fuel. A third effort targets advanced electronics that allow for faster reactor control. These components are hardened against radiation. The company said this durability could extend the lifespan of internal parts, thereby reducing operating costs for fusion power plants.
The final initiative involves adapting AI hardware, including GPUs and TPUs, for use in power plant operations. Sorbom said the funding helps improve the U.S. chip and power electronics industries while accelerating the progress of fusion energy toward the electrical grid.
The agreement represents a direct federal investment in the hardware required for next-generation energy systems. It ties the commercial viability of fusion to the domestic semiconductor supply chain. The company will now allocate the funds across the five technical tracks outlined in the award.
Source: TechCrunch
