Realta Fusion and Commonwealth Fusion Systems Partner to Commercialize Magnetic Mirror Fusion

The strategic partnership will leverage CFS' expertise in high-temperature superconducting magnets to accelerate Realta's fusion energy technology.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 9:40am

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Realta Fusion and Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS) have announced a long-term strategic partnership to design and manufacture high-temperature superconducting (HTS) magnets that Realta will use to commercialize its compact, scalable, modular fusion energy systems. The partnership also includes talent-sharing to support the development, deployment, and operation of HTS magnets for Realta's magnetic mirror fusion technology.

Why it matters

Commercializing fusion energy requires integrating multiple cutting-edge technologies. By partnering with the world's leading HTS magnet manufacturer, Realta is significantly de-risking one of the most critical components of its magnetic mirror fusion systems, which could help bring this promising clean energy technology to the grid faster.

The details

Under the agreement, CFS will develop magnets for Realta's demonstration prototypes as well as its commercial fusion power plants. The partnership has the potential to reach a multi-billion dollar value. Realta and CFS have a long history of collaboration, dating back to 2020 when the University of Wisconsin-Madison's WHAM experiment, which Realta spun out of, used CFS-provided HTS magnets to achieve a world-record magnetic field strength.

  • In 2020, the University of Wisconsin-Madison's WHAM experiment, which Realta spun out of, used CFS-provided HTS magnets.
  • In 2024, the WHAM experiment achieved a world-record magnetic field strength of 17 tesla using the CFS-provided HTS magnets.

The players

Realta Fusion

A company developing compact, scalable, modular fusion energy systems based on the magnetic mirror fusion concept. Realta is backed by leading venture capital investors and is one of eight companies selected for the U.S. Department of Energy's Fusion Milestone Program.

Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS)

The world's largest and leading private fusion company, known for its marquee SPARC fusion project that aims to generate net energy and pave the way for limitless carbon-free energy. CFS has raised almost $3 billion in capital since it was founded in 2018.

Kieran Furlong

CEO of Realta Fusion.

Bob Mumgaard

CEO and Co-founder of Commonwealth Fusion Systems.

University of Wisconsin-Madison

The institution that housed the WHAM experiment, which Realta spun out of in 2022.

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What they’re saying

“Commercializing magnetic mirror fusion systems requires integrating multiple cutting-edge technologies. By working with the world's leading HTS magnet manufacturer, we are significantly de-risking one of the most critical of these technologies.”

— Kieran Furlong, CEO, Realta Fusion

“As the world leader in HTS magnet technology development and manufacturing, we are pleased to share our expertise with Realta, and give our growing industry another promising technological opportunity to bring fusion energy to the grid.”

— Bob Mumgaard, CEO and Co-founder, Commonwealth Fusion Systems

The takeaway

This partnership between Realta Fusion and Commonwealth Fusion Systems represents a significant step forward in the commercialization of magnetic mirror fusion energy, a promising clean energy technology that could help accelerate the transition to a carbon-free future.