CFS delivers superconducting magnets to the University of Wisconsin

Commonwealth Fusion Systems delivers superconducting magnets to the University of Wisconsin for a magnetic fusion experiment, marking a milestone in innovation in this field.

Share:

Innovation supraconducteurs fusion

Subscribe for unlimited access to all energy sector news.

Over 150 multisector articles and analyses every week.

Your 1st year at 99 $*

then 199 $/year

*renews at 199$/year, cancel anytime before renewal.

Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS) has delivered two high-tech superconducting magnets to the University of Wisconsin for their experiment on magnetic mirror fusion technology. This delivery is part of CFS’s strategy to diversify the applications of its HTS magnets beyond its own power plant projects.
The magnets delivered to the University of Wisconsin are the first products in CFS’s strategy to develop high-temperature superconducting (HTS) magnets for a variety of applications. These magnets can generate a magnetic field of 17 teslas in the bore and over 20T on the magnets themselves, i.e. some 400,000 times stronger than the Earth’s magnetic field.

Collaboration with the University of Wisconsin

Since 2019, the University of Wisconsin has been working with CFS to develop this magnetic technology for its WHAM (Wisconsin HTS Axisymmetric Mirror) experiment. Funded by the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E), this project aims to validate computer models for designing more powerful magnetic mirror devices.

Business opportunities

CFS’s main mission remains the delivery of fusion devices of its own design, including the SPARC tokamak currently under construction. However, CFS’s exceptional capabilities in the design and manufacture of HTS magnets attracted the interest of other companies. According to Rick Needham, CFS Commercial Director, designing and building these magnets for other applications represents a significant business opportunity.

Implications for the Energy Sector

The potential impact of these superconducting magnets on the fusion market is significant. The development of this technology could open up new avenues for more compact and efficient fusion devices, thus influencing the energy sector.
The delivery of these superconducting magnets to the University of Wisconsin marks an important milestone in the development of magnetic fusion technology. By validating models for more powerful magnetic mirror devices, this technology could one day enable the creation of economically viable fusion power plants.

The United States and South Korea have agreed to initiate discussions on reprocessing spent nuclear fuel, marking a potential strategic shift in the long-standing bilateral agreement.
The United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission has granted a 40-year extension for the AP1000 reactor design certification, supporting its long-term construction domestically and deployment abroad.
Nano Nuclear Energy has signed a memorandum of understanding with Dioxitek, Argentina’s only uranium supplier for nuclear fuel, to assess the development of local conversion and enrichment capacities.
Stockholm plans to restart uranium extraction by lifting the 2018 ban, aiming to secure strategic supply chains and support domestic nuclear electricity production.
The French Atomic Energy Commission has signed a letter of intent with start-up Calogena to study the installation of a 30 MW thermal small nuclear reactor at its Cadarache site.
KHNP, Doosan, POSCO and Samsung C&T join US partners to develop 5 GW of modular reactors, expand uranium enrichment and build an 11 GW energy complex in Texas.
The US Department of Energy is creating an industrial consortium to accelerate domestic enriched uranium production and reduce reliance on foreign imports ahead of the Russian supply ban in 2027.
The kamikaze drone damaged an auxiliary transformer at the Kursk plant, halving the output of its only reactor in operation, according to Rosatom and the International Atomic Energy Agency.
The four production units at the Gravelines nuclear power plant, shut down in mid-August by a massive jellyfish incursion, are back online, restoring the site’s full capacity.
enCore Energy Corp. has completed a $115 million fundraising through convertible notes maturing in 2030, strengthening its financial capacity for upcoming operations.
Vattenfall advances its nuclear project in Sweden by selecting two modular reactor suppliers, GE Vernova and Rolls-Royce SMR, for a potential installation on the Värö Peninsula.
NANO Nuclear Energy has been selected to compete in the final round of xTechSearch 9, a US Army initiative aimed at identifying high-potential dual-use technology solutions.
Aalo Atomics completes Series B funding, bringing its total to USD 136 million, to build its first modular nuclear power plant dedicated to data centers.
The Malaysian government initiates a national assessment on nuclear energy feasibility, targeting regions facing energy supply constraints and integrating international regulatory requirements.
The merger between Premier American Uranium and Nuclear Fuels reaches a key milestone following final approval of the arrangement plan by the Supreme Court of British Columbia.
TVA, Google, and Kairos Power formalize an agreement to connect an advanced reactor to the grid, supporting data center energy growth and reinforcing the U.S. nuclear industry.
The U.S. Department of Defense has signed an agreement with X-energy to develop a commercial nuclear microreactor intended to power sensitive military infrastructure.
With cash reserves multiplied sevenfold in nine months, NANO Nuclear intensifies development of its KRONOS MMR and positions itself in the Canadian and U.S. modular nuclear markets.
Equinix signed a preorder for 20 Kaleidos nuclear microreactors and a letter of intent for a power purchase agreement with ULC-Energy, reinforcing its energy supply strategy for its data centers.
The U.S. Department of Energy selects Oklo and its subsidiary Atomic Alchemy for three pilot reactor projects aiming for criticality before July 2026.

Log in to read this article

You'll also have access to a selection of our best content.

or

Go unlimited with our annual offer: $99 for the 1styear year, then $ 199/year.