US to Award $389 Million for Power Semiconductor and Critical Materials R&D

The U.S. Commerce Department announced plans to award $389 million in research and development funding to four companies focusing on power semiconductor devices and critical materials. This initiative aims to boost technologies like commercial fusion. Helion will receive up to $175 million for high-voltage power semiconductors and advanced energy power modules in fusion power generation, while Commonwealth Fusion Systems will receive up to $85 million for semiconductors for radio-frequency plasma heating and fusion diagnostics.