EX-Fusion Inc., the first laser nuclear fusion startup in Japan, has reportedly secured funding of USD 1.02 million (130 million Japanese yen) in a pre-seed round.
This round was initiated by ANRI, a venture capital company based in Tokyo, along with OUVC (Osaka University Venture Capital) and was the first firm to be funded with the latest ESG-specific fund of ANRI.
The funding allows the company to expedite the development of the CTSS (continuous target supply system) and the LTTS (laser target tracking system), both fundamental systems for commercializing nuclear fusion reactors powered by lasers.
By consolidating the two systems, Ex-Fusion intends to exhibit the feasibility of experiments with repetition laser plasma of high frequency using high-power pulse lasers to showcase the capability to continuously produce neutrons in sequential laser fusion reactions.
It should be noted that Ex-Fusion was co-founded by Yoshitaka Mori, a professor at the GPI (Graduate School for the Creation of New Photonics Industries); Shinsuke Fujioka, a professor at Osaka University’s Institute of Laser Engineering; and Kazuki Matsuo, a postdoctoral fellow at the University of California San Diego.
Matsuo believes that nuclear fusion will cater to the global energy requirements and aid the world to attain carbon neutrality by 2050.
By focusing the research and development around the basic technology associated with the commercial operation of laser-powered nuclear fusion, the company can attain affordable and safe clean energy faster. This funding will commence the company’s efforts to develop the two systems, the laser target tracking system, and the continuous target supply system, which will prove that laser targeting, as well as continuous target injection, can be attained at or over 10Hz.
EX-Fusion is partnering with the ILE (Institute of Laser Engineering) at Osaka University, the GPI (Graduate School for the Creation of New Photonics Industries) as well as several private-sector corporations in developing these technologies.
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