Commonwealth Fusion Systems wins $85M CHIPS Act award for chips

Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS) said on Thursday it will receive $85 million from the U.S. government to develop advanced chips for the fusion power industry. The money comes from a CHIPS Act award by the Department of Commerce, which also gives the government a stake in the company.

According to CFS, the funding will boost research and development and manufacturing capacity for semiconductors in the United States. The company is aiming to switch on its Sparc demonstration reactor sometime next year, but a single reactor is only a proof point. Building dozens of commercial plants will require more durable power electronics and a robust supply chain.

"Ultimately, that means a more capable, economical power plant and a stronger U.S. supply chain to build it," Brandon Sorbom, CFS co-founder and chief science officer, wrote in a blog post.

Five areas of work

The award will support five initiatives. The first is advancing silicon carbide power electronics. These semiconductors manage high voltages and appear in everything from LEDs and EVs to cell phone base stations and data centers. In fusion machines, they help handle the intense bursts of electricity that drive the superconducting magnets confining plasma inside a reactor.

CFS will also develop next-generation radio-frequency power generators, which the company uses to heat fusion fuel. Another focus is advanced electronics that allow faster control of the reactor and are hardened against radiation. That could extend the lifespan of electronics inside a power plant and lower operating costs.

Finally, CFS plans to use part of the award to adapt AI hardware such as GPUs and TPUs for power plants.

Why it matters

Fusion startups are racing to finish their first demonstration devices, and the harder question is what comes after. Components that survive radiation and handle extreme power loads are a prerequisite for commercial plants, and a domestic supply chain reduces dependence on outside suppliers.

"The funding would help improve the U.S. chip and power electronics industries at the same time it accelerates fusion energy's progress toward the electrical grid," Sorbom said.