CFS Ships Specialized Magnets to University of Wisconsin-Madison for Fusion Research
In a significant development for the fusion sector, Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS) has announced that it is shipping a pair of its specialized magnets to the University of Wisconsin-Madison. This marks the first supply agreement for CFS, showcasing the growth and maturity of the fusion industry.
The CEO of CFS, Bob Mumgaard, emphasized the company’s willingness to support others in the industry, stating, “If we’re going to build a ladder, let’s not kick the ladder down. If others are going to come up behind, how can we help them?” This demonstrates CFS’s commitment to collaboration and advancing fusion research as a whole.
The magnets developed by CFS in collaboration with scientists at MIT are crucial to the company’s operations. These rare earth barium copper oxide (REBCO) magnets generate a remarkably strong magnetic field. Their strength allows for smaller magnet sizes while still effectively confining the plasma within the reactor. The use of smaller magnets leads to cost reductions and efficiency improvements throughout the power plant, making commercial fusion a viable option.
Due to the advantages offered by CFS’s magnets, it is unsurprising that other parties are interested in purchasing them. However, for now, CFS is focused on research and development partnerships rather than entering into supply agreements with potential competitors. The project at UW-Madison, known as WHAM, utilizes a different reactor design called a tube of plasma instead of a doughnut-shaped tokamak used by CFS.
The funding for the project at UW-Madison comes from the federal government’s ARPA-E program. The university is also associated with another startup called Realta Fusion, which spun out from the experiment. However, CFS and Realta are not partners themselves.
As part of the agreement with UW-Madison, CFS will ship completed magnets along with the necessary assemblies, cooling systems, and control systems. Additionally, CFS’s software will be used to control the operation of the magnets.
While this deal represents a step towards collaboration and support for the fusion industry, it is important to note that it is not purely altruistic. The university will be paying CFS for the magnets, although the specific amount has not been disclosed. Mumgaard acknowledges the business value of CFS’s magnets, stating, “The fact that we have these magnets, and that we spent a lot of money developing them. Well, that’s a good business for us.”
In conclusion, CFS’s shipment of specialized magnets to UW-Madison highlights the progress and potential of the fusion sector. By fostering research collaborations and supply agreements, companies like CFS are driving advancements in fusion technology and bringing us closer to achieving commercial fusion power.
