Key facts
- CFS will receive $85 million from the U.S. government for fusion semiconductors.
- The funding will support R&D and manufacturing capacity for semiconductors in the U.S.
- Initiatives include advancing silicon carbide power electronics and developing radiation-hardened electronics.
- AI hardware like GPUs and TPUs will be adapted for power plants.
Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS) announced on Thursday that it will receive $85 million from the U.S. government to develop advanced semiconductors for the fusion power industry. The award, part of the CHIPS Act, aims to boost U.S. R&D and manufacturing capacity for these specialized chips. CFS plans to use the funding to advance silicon carbide power electronics, develop next-generation radio-frequency power generators, create radiation-hardened electronics to extend component lifespan, and adapt AI hardware like GPUs and TPUs for fusion power plants. The company aims to accelerate fusion energy's progress toward commercial viability.