Fusion energy leaders Type One Energy and ExoFusion announced an extension of their partnership focused on stellarator optimization, with a particular emphasis on maximizing plasma confinement. The collaboration aims to reduce the time to Commercially Viable Fusion (CVF) by optimizing the edge region of the plasma, a critical area for overall performance.
ExoFusion, based in Austin, Texas, brings expertise and intellectual property in plasma confinement and first-wall materials, while Type One Energy, headquartered in Bellevue, Washington, contributes leadership in stellarator engineering and science. The combined efforts are expected to accelerate the development of stellarator fusion systems, which are considered a promising path to continuous fusion power.
Stellarators are magnetic confinement devices that use twisted magnetic fields to contain plasma, offering inherent stability without the need for plasma current. However, optimizing confinement—particularly at the plasma edge—remains a key challenge. By improving edge confinement, the partners aim to increase overall efficiency and reduce the size and cost of future fusion power plants.
“This partnership brings together two companies with deep expertise in fusion physics and engineering,” said Romi Mahajan, CEO of ExoFusion. “By focusing on confinement optimization, we can significantly shorten the timeline to commercially viable fusion.”
Type One Energy’s FusionDirect™ program pursues a capital-efficient strategy to develop a fusion power plant over the coming decade. The company applies advanced manufacturing methods, modern computational physics, and high-field superconducting magnets to its optimized stellarator design. ExoFusion, a recipient of ARPA-E, SCIDAC, FIRE, INFUSE, and other grants, works across device types and fuel cycles, focusing on design, simulation, and scientific innovation.
The extended partnership underscores the importance of physics collaborations in the fusion industry. “Physics partnerships are crucial to achieving CVF,” a spokesperson for Type One Energy said. “By combining ExoFusion’s confinement expertise with our stellarator technology, we are addressing one of the most critical aspects of fusion performance.”
For more information, see the full announcement at ExoFusion’s announcement and Type One Energy’s press release.
