Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS) announced an $85 million CHIPS Act award from the U.S. Department of Commerce to develop advanced chips for the fusion power industry. The U.S. government also takes a stake in the company.
The money targets silicon carbide power electronics for high-voltage control, including driving the superconducting magnets that confine plasma, plus next-generation radio-frequency generators that heat fusion fuel. It also covers radiation-hardened electronics for faster reactor control and the adaptation of AI hardware such as GPUs and TPUs for power plants.
CFS aims to switch on its SPARC reactor next year. Co-founder and chief science officer Brandon Sorbom said the funding would help build a stronger U.S. supply chain. Commercial fusion plants will need more durable power electronics than a single proof-of-concept reactor does.