CFS receives $85 million to build chips for fusion plants

Commonwealth Fusion Systems will receive $85 million from the U.S. Department of Commerce to develop semiconductors for the fusion power industry. The company announced the award on Thursday. The funding is part of the CHIPS Act program.

The agreement includes a government equity stake in CFS. The company stated that the capital will strengthen research and development efforts. It will also expand domestic manufacturing capacity for chips.

The award supports five specific initiatives. The first project focuses on silicon carbide power electronics. These components manage high voltages and are used in electric vehicles, data centers, and cell phone base stations. In fusion reactors, they help drive the superconducting magnets that confine plasma.

CFS will also develop next-generation radio-frequency power generators. These devices heat fusion fuel. A third effort targets advanced electronics designed for faster reactor control. These components are hardened against radiation. The company said this durability could extend component lifespan and lower operating costs for fusion power plants.

The final initiative involves adapting artificial intelligence hardware, including GPUs and TPUs, for use in power plants. Brandon Sorbom, co-founder and chief science officer at CFS, wrote in a blog post that the work aims to create a more capable and economical power plant. He noted that the project supports a stronger U.S. supply chain.

The funding arrives as fusion startups work to complete their first demonstration machines. CFS plans to activate its Sparc reactor sometime next year. A single reactor serves as a proof of concept. Companies aiming to build dozens of commercial plants will need durable power electronics and a reliable supply chain.

Sorbom said the funding will improve U.S. chip and power electronics industries. He added that it accelerates fusion energy progress toward the electrical grid.