INFUSE

How INFUSE Supports Fusion Partnerships

Find answers to common questions about inertial fusion energy research and participation.

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Supports Private-Sector Fusion Research

Direct funding and collaborative opportunities for companies advancing fusion technology.
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Provides Access to National Lab Facilities & Expertise

Companies leverage world-class equipment and decades of accumulated scientific knowledge.
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Advances Materials Science & Enabling Technologies

Research focuses on the critical components that make commercial fusion possible.
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Helps Reduce Technical Risk in Fusion R&D

Shared resources and expertise lower the cost and uncertainty of development.
INFUSE

Current Topics

#1

Diagnostics

Many of the diagnostics developed at the participating institutes over the last fifty years can be made available to private companies and adapted for use on their own machines through collaboration with the INFUSE institutions
#2

Enabling Technologies

Enabling technologies includes, but is not limited to: magnets and magnet materials, RF heating systems, pellet fueling, advanced plasma facing components, advanced divertor configurations, remote handling, blanket and shielding evaluations, tritium processing.institutions
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Experimental Capabilities

The experimental capabilities area involves partnering with the public institutions participating in INFUSE to utilize already existing, unique facilities at those institutes to qualify materials or test engineering concepts.conceptsinstitutions
#4

Materials

Fusion materials research topics include both structural and functional materials required for nuclear systems.
#5

Modeling and Simulation

Modeling and simulation has a long history with researchers and scientists exploring fusion energy technologies through SciDAC. Researchers and scientists in the Department of Energy are developing new tools to predict the performance, reliability and economics of fusion reactor concepts.
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Paths to Commercialization

Activities that support paths to eventual fusion commercialization may include, but are not limited to: accident and safety analysis, public engagement, fuel supplies, advanced manufacturing, waste disposition and recycling.conceptsinstitutions
INFUSE

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can find additional information about INFUSE??

Official Program Website: https://infuse.ornl.gov

Can a university apply for INFUSE funds without a private company partner?

No.  Only a private company can apply for INFUSE assistance.  The private company can select a university as the partner to receive direct DOE funding..

Can foreign companies participate in INFUSE?

No.  However, foreign-controlled U.S. subsidiaries are eligible for INFUSE. They must be registered in the U.S. and the company PI must be a majority employee of the U.S. company.  Only accredited U.S. universities and the 17 DOE National Laboratories can participate as partners. 

Can two or more laboratories be involved in the same INFUSE project?

Not directly. Only the lead lab can be on the INFUSE CRADA.  Other labs can collaborate up to 25% of the total work scope using a Memorandum Purchase Order from the lead lab, or the company can fund the other lab(s) directly from their own 20% cost share using an SPP contract or separate 100% funds-in CRADA..

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