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Abdus Shaik, PhD student at Imperial College, London, gives this week's Fusion News update - summarizing behind the headlines of recent fusion energy news articles. Links to the stories discussed are included below. 1. General Fusion to go public in US via $1 billion SPAC deal https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/general-fusion-go-public-us-via-1-billion-spac-deal-2026-01-22/ 2. EU lawmakers back declaration urging the bloc to lead in commercial fusion energy https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2026/01/27/eu-lawmakers-back-declaration-urging-the-bloc-to-lead-in-commercial-fusion-energy 3. UKAEA spinout to develop ‘high-power’ microwaves for fusion https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/ukaea-spinout-to-develop-high-power-microwaves-for-fusion/ 4. UT To Partner with ORNL, Type One Energy on World-Class Facility to Validate Next-Gen Fusion  https://research.utk.edu/oried/2026/01/21/ut-to-partner-with-ornl-type-one-energy-on-world-class-facility-to-validate-next-gen-fusion/  5. Drone test flights prove possibilities for use in fusion https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/articles/drone-test-flights-prove-possibilities-for-use-in-fusion Bonus: https://www.fusionindustryassociation.org/fia-annual-conference-2026/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDh59_PK_oc

Mechanical design engineer Jasmine Mund gives this week's Fusion News update - summarizing behind the headlines of recent fusion energy news articles. Links to the stories discussed are included below. EAST breaks fusion density limit  https://www.neimagazine.com/news/east-breaks-fusion-density-limit/ US energy company installs first fusion magnet, nears clean power breakthrough https://interestingengineering.com/ces-2026/us-firm-first-nuclear-fusion-magnet  AI speeds UK fusion tokamak design by 100,000 times https://channellife.co.uk/story/ai-speeds-uk-fusion-tokamak-design-by-100-000-times  Thea Energy’s fusion pilot plant preconceptual design certified by U.S. Dept. of Energy https://www.roi-nj.com/2026/01/13/industry/energy-utilities/thea-energys-fusion-pilot-plant-preconceptual-design-certified-by-u-s-dept-of-energy/  Why is Truth Social owner Trump Media merging with a fusion energy firm? https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/dec/19/trump-media-tae-technologies-energy-merger  Bonus: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cly3x7pz28mo  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inDGDyz3MNE https://www.fusionindustryassociation.org/fia-annual-conference-2026/

A compilation of the top Fusion News stories from 2025, plus an overview of the year's major industry and policy advances by FIA CEO Andrew Holland. Thanks for tuning in with us all year! We look forward to covering more milestones in 2026.As always, links to the stories covered are included below.Late-breaking news: TAE Technologies merges with TMTGhttps://tae.com/trump-media-and-technology-group-to-merge-with-tae-technologies/Top stories of 2025:Laser-powered fusion experiment more than doubles its power outputhttps://techcrunch.com/2025/05/17/laser-powered-fusion-experiment-more-than-doubles-its-power-output/(Covered by Jeff on May 28)Google buys fusion powerhttps://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/google-buys-fusion-power/(Jasmine, July 23)Helion Energy starts construction on nuclear fusion plant to power Microsoft data centershttps://www.reuters.com/business/energy/helion-energy-starts-construction-nuclear-fusion-plant-power-microsoft-data-2025-07-30/(Cyd, August 6)Commonwealth Fusion Systems Raises $863 Million Series B2 Round to Accelerate the Commercialization of Fusion Energyhttps://cfs.energy/news-and-media/commonwealth-fusion-systems-raises-863-million-series-b2-round-to-accelerate-the-commercialization-of-fusion-energy(Abdus, September 3)Germany bets billions on nuclear fusion for energy futurehttps://www.dw.com/en/nuclear-fusion-germany-bets-billions-on-technology-for-energy-future/a-74522109(Abdus, November 12)

December 10, 2025 Adrian Carrillo, master’s student at the University of Washington, gives this week's Fusion News update - summarizing behind the headlines of recent fusion energy news articles. Links to the stories discussed are included below: 1. TAE Technologies and UKAEA partner to commercialise fusion tech https://www.gov.uk/government/news/tae-technologies-and-ukaea-partner-to-commercialise-fusion-tech 2. Completion of Conceptual Design for the Fusion Energy Demonstration Project "FAST" https://kyotofusioneering.com/en/news/2025/11/27/3586 3. World's biggest fusion device adds over 1,200-ton module in major progress https://interestingengineering.com/photo-story/worlds-biggest-fusion-reactor-new-module 4. US lab reveals how fusion fuel capsules perform under sun-like heat https://www6.slac.stanford.edu/news/2025-11-26-ideal-fusion-fuel-target-doesnt-exist-yet-researchers-slac-are-trying-change Bonus: Kyoto Fusioneering and Shimadzu Corporation Jointly Develop a Prototype of a Turbomolecular Pump Designed for Operation in Tritium Environments https://kyotofusioneering.com/en/news/2025/12/03/3598 Ten years of Wendelstein 7-X - ten years of world-leading fusion research https://nachrichten.idw-online.de/2025/12/01/ten-years-of-wendelstein-7-x-ten-years-of-world-leading-fusion-research FIA Launches Education and Research Partnership program https://www.fusionindustryassociation.org/fia-launches-education-and-research-partnership-program/ STEP Fusion celebrates community engagement and announces the timeline for development consent at the West Burton site https://www.worksopguardian.co.uk/community/step-fusion-celebrates-community-engagement-and-announces-the-timeline-for-development-consent-at-the-west-burton-site-5422025 Watch the episode on the FIA's YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/ycIEr8KX-cc

November 26, 2025 Dr. Cyd Cowley, working at the intersection of fusion and AI at FIA affiliate member digiLab, gives this week's Fusion News update - summarizing behind the headlines of recent fusion energy news articles. Links to the stories discussed are included below. 1. Zap Energy ramps up the pressure in its latest fusion device https://techcrunch.com/2025/11/18/zap-energy-ramps-up-the-pressure-in-its-latest-fusion-device/2. Tokamak Energy announces magnet breakthrough https://www.neimagazine.com/news/tokamak-energy-announces-magnet-breakthrough/3. Are we finally about to crack fusion energy? https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/are-we-finally-about-to-crack-fusion-energy/Bonus: Fusion at United Nations Climate Change Conference – COP30 https://www.fusionindustryassociation.org/fusion-at-united-nations-climate-change-conference-cop30/New contract model launched for nuclear fusion schemes https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/legal/new-contract-model-launched-for-nuclear-fusion-schemes-21-11-2025/ Watch the episode on the FIA's YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/jCP0VNrKeJs

November 12, 2025 Abdus Shaik, PhD student at Imperial College, London, gives this week's Fusion News update - summarizing behind the headlines of recent fusion energy news articles. Links to the stories discussed are included below. 1. Germany announces major national investment plan for fusion energy https://www.dw.com/en/nuclear-fusion-germany-bets-billions-on-technology-for-energy-future/a-74522109 2. A U.S. think tank calls for a ten billion dollar government push to maintain American leadership in fusion https://www.nucnet.org/news/stakes-have-increased-as-us-risks-falling-behind-china-in-race-for-nuclear-fusion-11-3-2025 3. Japan moves closer to commercial fusion with a successful new test https://inspenet.com/en/noticias/japan-moves-toward-commercial-fusion-power-with-successful-test/ 4. Why the Al Industry Is Betting on a Fusion Energy Breakthrough https://time.com/7328213/nuclear-fusion-energy-ai/ Bonus: https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/16137063 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxs0Z8hmMZU Watch the episode on the FIA's YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/tTVfBhsUn-Q

October 29, 2025 Mechanical design engineer Jasmine Mund gives this week's Fusion News update - summarizing behind the headlines of recent fusion energy news articles. Links to the stories discussed are included below.1. Energy Department Announces Fusion Science & Technology Roadmap to Accelerate Commercial Fusion Powerhttps://www.energy.gov/articles/energy-department-announces-fusion-science-and-technology-roadmap-accelerate-commercial2. CFS leverages DeepMind Al for SPARChttps://www.neimagazine.com/news/cfs-leverages-deepmind-ai-for-sparc/3. Nordic study on siting of fusion pilot planthttps://www.world-nuclear-news.org/articles/nordic-study-on-siting-of-fusion-pilot-plant4. World-first use of 3D magnetic coils to stabilise fusion plasmahttps://www.gov.uk/government/news/world-first-use-of-3d-magnetic-coils-to-stabilise-fusion-plasmaBonus:https://www.iter.org/node/20687/iters-stefan-jachmich-wins-nuclear-fusion-journal-prizehttps://tokamakenergy.com/2025/10/15/seeing-plasma-in-colour-new-imaging-from-st40/https://www.neimagazine.com/news/german-start-up-unveils-fusion-blueprint/ Watch our podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/WUUajZ5Cu4E

October 15, 2025 Jeff Peachman, PhD student at the University of Washington, gives this week's Fusion News update - summarizing behind the headlines of recent fusion energy news articles. Links to the stories discussed are included below.1. Nuclear fusion, the 'holy grail' of power, was always 30 years away-now it's a matter of when, not if, fusion comes online to power Alhttps://fortune.com/2025/10/02/nuclear-fusion-online-commercial-ai-power/2. Eni strikes more than $1 billion power deal with US fusion firm Commonwealthhttps://www.reuters.com/business/energy/eni-strikes-more-than-1-billion-power-deal-with-us-fusion-firm-commonwealth-2025-09-22/3. New prediction model could improve the reliability of fusion power plantshttps://news.mit.edu/2025/new-prediction-model-could-improve-reliability-fusion-power-plants-1007Bonus:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JG3TxB-plT8https://www.innovationnewsnetwork.com/cern-and-f4e-join-forces-to-advance-fusion-energy-development/61794/Watch the episode on the FIA's YouTube channel:https://youtu.be/iNOg0Fv8bRI Watch our podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/iNOg0Fv8bRI

September 17, 2025 Mechanical design engineer Jasmine Mund gives this week's Fusion News update - summarizing behind the headlines of recent fusion energy news articles. Links to the stories discussed are included below. 1. General Atomics marks completion of ITER’s superconducting fusion magnet https://www.ans.org/news/2025-09-04/article-7345/general-atomics-marks-completion-of-iters-superconducting-fusion-magnet/ 2. Energy Department Announces $134 Million to Advance U.S. Fusion Leadership https://www.openaccessgovernment.org/doe-invests-134-million-to-advance-u-s-leadership-in-fusion-energy-innovation/198167/  3. Durham scientists advance ITER reactor with landmark superconductor study https://www.innovationnewsnetwork.com/durham-scientists-advance-iter-reactor-with-superconductor-study/61668/ 4. Super-X' design shows major advantages in handling hot exhaust of fusion energy https://phys.org/news/2025-09-super-major-advantages-hot-exhaust.html 5. Livermore Approves Billion-Dollar Nuclear Fusion Research Facility Proposal https://patch.com/california/livermore/livermore-approves-billion-dollar-nuclear-fusion-research-facility-proposal# Bonus: https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2025/09/10/how-to-build-table-top-fusion-reactors https://global.kyocera.com/newsroom/news/2025/001124.html Watch the episode on the FIA's YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/rzc9hed_C2c

September 3rd, 2025 Abdus Shaik, PhD student at Imperial College in London, gives this week's Fusion News update - summarizing behind the headlines of recent fusion energy news articles. Links to the stories discussed are included below. 1. Commonwealth Fusion Systems raises $863 Million https://cfs.energy/news-and-media/commonwealth-fusion-systems-raises-863-million-series-b2-round-to-accelerate-the-commercialization-of-fusion-energy 2. Inertia Enterprises Launches with DOE and LLNL support https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250826432256/en/Inertia-Enterprises-Launches-to-Commercialize-Fusion-Energy-Founded-by-Proven-Leaders-in-Business-and-Science 3. Fusion funding and power purchase agreements ramp up https://www.theverge.com/news/766269/nuclear-fusion-project-map 4. General Fusion raises $22 million https://generalfusion.com/post/a-new-day-general-fusion-closes-oversubscribed-us22-million-financing-welcomes-new-board-members Bonus: https://www.fusionindustryassociation.org/over-2-5-billion-invested-in-fusion-industry-in-past-year/ https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/energy/a65595434/china-super-steel/# Watch the episode on FIA's YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/GdPNiZ6NBHk

August 20, 2025 Jeff Peachman, PhD student at the University of Washington, gives this week's Fusion News update - summarizing behind the headlines of recent fusion energy news articles. Links to the stories discussed are included below. 1. Marathon Fusion claims it can turn mercury into gold while creating clean energy https://phys.org/news/2025-07-marathon-fusion-mercury-gold-energy.html  2. Finding the shadows in a fusion system faster with AI https://phys.org/news/2025-08-shadows-fusion-faster-ai.html  Bonus: https://news.arizona.edu/news/u-industry-partners-poised-advance-fusion-innovation  https://www.neimagazine.com/news/boron-powder-boosts-fusion-plasma-control/?cf-view Watch the episode on the FIA's YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/ET5jhBMxnBE

Fusion News: August 6, 2025 Dr. Cyd Cowley, working at the intersection of fusion and AI at FIA affiliate member digiLab, gives today's global fusion news update. Links to all of the stories mentioned are included below. 1. Helion Energy starts construction on nuclear fusion plant to power Microsoft data centers https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/helion-energy-starts-construction-nuclear-fusion-plant-power-microsoft-data-2025-07-30/  2. Germany advances plans for world's first fusion power plant in “High-Tech Agenda” https://www.cleanenergywire.org/news/germany-advances-plans-worlds-first-fusion-power-plant-high-tech-agenda#:~:text=The%20German%20government%20has%20fleshed,fuels%2C%20and%20industrial%20carbon%20capture.  3. Avalanche Energy hits key milestone on the road to a desktop fusion reactor https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/23/avalanche-energy-hits-key-milestone-on-the-road-to-a-desktop-fusion-reactor/  Bonus: FIA 2025 Global Fusion Industry report launch makes headlines https://www.fusionindustryassociation.org/in-the-news-the-global-fusion-industry-in-2025/ https://www.fusionindustryassociation.org/over-2-5-billion-invested-in-fusion-industry-in-past-year/ Overview of "BEST" tokamak in China https://www.thecooldown.com/green-tech/china-fusion-energy-best-reactor/

Mechanical design engineer Jasmine Mund gives this week's global fusion news update, summarizing behind all of the major headlines. Links to all of the stories mentioned are included below.1. EU provides funding for fusion materials testing facilityhttps://world-nuclear-news.org/articles/eu-provides-funding-for-fusion-materials-testing-facility2. FIA Launches Position Papers on EU Public-Private Partnerships, Regulations, and Fundinghttps://www.fusionindustryassociation.org/fia-launches-position-papers-on-eu-public-private-partnerships-regulations-and-funding/3. Google buys fusion powerhttps://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/google-buys-fusion-power/4. Westinghouse and ITER sign a $180M Contract to Advance Nuclear Fusionhttps://info.westinghousenuclear.com/news/westinghouse-and-iter-sign-a-180m-contract-to-advance-nuclear-fusion5. World's first steady-state net power nuclear fusion plant gets funding boosthttps://interestingengineering.com/energy/japan-firm-funding-nuclear-fusion-plantBonus: FIA Launches The Global Fusion Industry in 2025: https://www.fusionindustryassociation.org/news/from-the-fia/#industry-reportshttps://phys.org/news/2025-07-fusion-proxima-centauri-potentially-habitable.htmlhttps://time.com/7302543/nuclear-energy-commonwealth-fusion/https://www.newcivilengineer.com/latest/interview-type-one-energy-on-developing-commercially-viable-nuclear-fusion-16-07-2025/

Dr. Cyd Cowley, working at the intersection of fusion and AI at FIA affiliate member digiLab, gives today's global fusion news update. Links to all of the stories mentioned are included below. 1. Major funding milestone for world-first protype fusion plant https://www.gov.uk/government/news/25-billion-for-world-first-prototype-fusion-energy-plant 2. Europe's fastest-growing nuclear fusion company raises $148 million in record funding round https://www.cnbc.com/2025/06/11/nuclear-fusion-proxima-raises-148-million-in-record-funding-round.html 3. Nuclear fusion's plasma code cracked by US researchers' elusive 'voids' breakthrough https://interestingengineering.com/energy/fusion-plasma-code-cracked-us-researchers Bonus:  https://www.gamespot.com/articles/concept-borrowed-from-video-games-leads-to-fusion-energy-breakthrough/1100-6531863/ https://www.princeton.edu/news/2025/06/20/nj-hax-plasma-forge-new-strategic-innovation-center-coming-princeton-area

Mechanical design engineer Jasmine Mund gives this week's global fusion news update, summarizing behind all of the major headlines. Links to all of the stories mentioned are included below. 1. TAE Technologies raises $150m in funding for fusion energy development https://www.power-technology.com/news/tae-technologies-fusion-energy-development/ 2. Fusion Supply Chain spending almost doubles in 2024, according to Fusion Industry Assocation https://www.fusionindustryassociation.org/fusion-supply-chain-spending-almost-doubles-in-2024-according-to-fusion-industry-association/ 3. Wendelstein 7-X sets new performance records in nuclear fusion research https://www.innovationnewsnetwork.com/wendelstein-7-x-sets-fusion-record-boosting-hopes-for-future-stellarators/58820/ 4. ‘We’re definitely on the back foot’: U.S. risks losing fusion energy race to China, industry leaders warn https://www.geekwire.com/2025/were-definitely-on-the-back-foot-u-s-risks-losing-fusion-energy-race-to-china-industry-leaders-warn/ 5. Kyoto, Fujikura advance fusion magnet tech https://www.geekwire.com/2025/were-definitely-on-the-back-foot-u-s-risks-losing-fusion-energy-race-to-china-industry-leaders-warn/ Bonus: https://phys.org/news/2025-06-qa-exploring-ultra-high-temperature.html https://www.innovationnewsnetwork.com/uks-advancements-in-plasma-physics-fusion-energy/58711/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XC6nYCu3UY