1 keV fusion milestone; Germany launches fusion milestone program; U.S. Commerce Department announces $389M in semiconductor R&D awards

Jasmine Mund, mechanical design engineer with a key interest in the fusion industry, gives this week’s global Fusion News update. Links to all of the stories mentioned are included below.

1. ‘World-first’ 1 keV fusion milestone set without lasers or superconducting magnets

https://interestingengineering.com/energy/nuclear-fusion-reactor-hits-world-first-1-kev-milestone

2. Germany launches fusion milestone programme

https://www.neimagazine.com/news/germany-launches-fusion-milestone-programme/

3. Scientists may have found a shortcut to fusion energy

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/10/261008005242.htm

4. Department of Commerce Announces Letters of Intent With 4 Companies for $389 Million of R&D Awards to Strengthen America’s Energy Semiconductor Supply Chain

https://www.nist.gov/news-events/news/2026/10/department-commerce-announces-letters-intent-4-companies-389-million-rd

5. Hephaestus raises £12.8m to advance rare-earth-free fusion technology

https://nstartup.me/news/1e9eeedf-4c6a-47f0-9acb-adff172deddd

Bonus stories:

IPP, Columbia University establish international fusion research center

https://www.ans.org/news/article-8507/ipp-columbia-university-establish-international-fusion-research-center/

Interview: The Fusion Future with Dennis Whyte | Particles of Thought

https://youtu.be/mu1T0vFeD1w?si=1UwJw1jAZIMd-olb