Press Releases
Fujikura Invests in Helical Fusion, a Developer of Helical Fusion Energy Technology
Fujikura Ltd. (President and CEO: Naoki Okada) has invested in Helical Fusion Co., Ltd. (“Helical Fusion”), a startup developing helical fusion reactors.
1. About Helical Fusion
Helical Fusion is a startup engaged in the development and commercialization of fusion energy reactors. Its work builds on advanced research conducted in Japan, including research led by the National Institute for Fusion Science (NIFS), National Institutes of Natural Sciences, which has long been at the forefront of helical fusion research.
The helical approach is a type of magnetic confinement fusion in which an ultra-high-temperature plasma is confined using magnetic fields. Helical Fusion is developing reactors that use powerful magnetic fields generated by helical magnets incorporating high-temperature superconducting (HTS) tape*1. The approach is expected to be well suited to steady-state operation and is regarded as one of the promising options for supporting a sustainable energy supply.
2. About Fusion Energy
Fusion energy is released when light atomic nuclei, such as deuterium and tritium, fuse to form a heavier nucleus, such as helium, as occurs in the Sun. One gram of fusion fuel is estimated to produce energy equivalent to that generated by burning eight metric tons of oil.
Deuterium, one of the fuels used in fusion, is abundant in seawater, and the fusion reaction itself does not emit carbon dioxide (CO₂). Fusion energy is therefore attracting attention as a potential means of addressing climate change and other environmental challenges and is expected to play an important role in achieving a carbon-neutral society.
3. Purpose of the Investment
Fujikura regards Helical Fusion’s research and development activities as an important initiative toward the practical application of fusion energy in Japan.
For more than 30 years, Fujikura has conducted research and development on HTS tape and has supplied it to fusion energy projects in Japan and overseas.
Through this investment, Fujikura will deepen its collaboration with Helical Fusion and leverage its longstanding HTS tape technologies, expertise, and supply track record to contribute to the commercialization of fusion energy.
Fujikura will continue to advance its HTS technologies in pursuit of a sustainable energy future.
Helical Fusion
Company Profile
[Company name] Helical Fusion Co., Ltd.
[Head office] Tokyo, Japan
[Established] 2021
[Representative] Takaya Taguchi, Co-founder and CEO
[Business activities ] Design and technology development of helical fusion reactors
*1 High-temperature superconducting (HTS) tape
Superconductivity is the phenomenon in which electrical resistance becomes zero below a certain temperature. Low-temperature superconductors, which are metallic superconductors, are typically cooled using liquid helium with a boiling point of −269°C. High-temperature superconductors, which are oxide-based superconductors, can exhibit superconductivity at temperatures as high as that of liquid nitrogen, whose boiling point is −196°C.
Fujikura develops HTS tape. It is manufactured by depositing an oxide superconducting material on a tape-shaped metal substrate, such as a nickel-based alloy, through an intermediate layer while controlling crystal growth. The tape maintains strong performance even in ultra-high magnetic fields. HTS tape is expected to see wider use in next-generation superconducting equipment. Fujikura is expanding its HTS tape production capacity.
