The University of Houston has been selected to receive $8 million in federal funds for a nuclear fusion research project.
The project will focus on improving the resilience of superconducting magnets, a central component of compact fusion reactors, said lead researcher and UH professor Venkat Selvamanickam. In a statement, he said his goal is "to unlock the full potential of this magical technology for society," adding that the magnets also have applications for data centers, MRIs and cancer treatment.
UH is the only Texas institution among 23 across the country selected for the U.S. Department of Energy's Fusion Innovative Research Engine, or FIRE, collaboratives, which funds projects in fusion energy science. The Energy Department also selected 20 private companies and startups to receive funding through its Innovation Network for Fusion Energy program, or INFUSE, which is intended to accelerate private sector fusion energy development. The grants total $134 million across both programs.
In a statement, U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright said the funding is meant to support domestic energy production. "Fusion power holds the promise of limitless, reliable, American-made energy -- and programs like INFUSE and FIRE ensure our innovators have the tools, talent, and partnerships to make it a reality," he said.
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Nuclear fusion, the reaction that powers the sun, occurs when atomic nuclei combine, releasing large amounts of energy without emitting greenhouse gases, an attractive prospect as energy demand from sources like data centers is projected to increase. But technical, regulatory and funding hurdles have meant that the energy source is far from commercially viable.
President Donald Trump's administration has made expanding domestic nuclear power research and production central to its energy policy, while also rolling back incentives for renewable energy projects. The DOE said it plans to invest as much as $220 million for the FIRE collaboratives over the next four years, though that sum is contingent on congressional appropriations.
The Energy Department said it will begin a "negotiation process" with institutions selected for the awards before giving out the funds, and that the department can choose to rescind selections "for any reason" during that process.