Marathon fusion: new award vision open 2024, control# 3387-2677 project title: partial ionization centrifuge enabling differential pumping and lithium isotope separation for fusion energy this…

The Department of Energy Advanced Research Projects Agency awarded Marathon Fusion, Inc. a $4,042,077 cooperative agreement on March 6, 2026, under the Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy program (CFDA 81.135, FOA DE-FOA-0003387, VISION OPEN 2024) to develop a partial ionization centrifuge technology for fusion energy applications.

The project pursues a novel approach to partial ionization centrifuge design enabling large separation factors and throughputs for light isotopes relevant to fusion. The technology addresses two critical needs for fusion deployability and economic viability. First, it functions as a differential fuel pumping system capable of accessing approximately 20 percent tritium burn efficiency operation in a fusion device at greater than 90 percent fusion power density fraction. Second, it enables lithium isotope separation with high throughput and separation factor greater than 2, allowing for more effective breeding blankets in fusion devices.

Work is performed in San Francisco, California. The period of performance runs from March 6, 2026, through March 5, 2029. Marathon Fusion is the recipient organization.

Marathon fusion: new award vision open 2024, control# 3387-2677 project title: partial ionization centrifuge enabling differential pumping and lithium isotope separation for fusion energy this competitive cooperative agreement for a research and development project entitled, "partial ionization centrifuge enabling differential pumping and lithium isotope separation for fusion energy" is awarded marathon fusion under arpa-e FOA number DE-FOA-0003387 (vision open 2024) and control 3387-2677. The purpose of this award is pursue a novel approach to the partial ionization centrifuge, enabling large separation factors and throughputs specifically for light isotopes relevant to fusion applications. This technology has two important implications for the deployability and economic viability of fusion energy. First, as a differential fuel pumping system capable of accessing high (~20%) tritium burn efficiency operation in a fusion device at high (>90%) fusion power density fraction. Second, by enabling lithium isotope separation with high throughput and separation factor > 2, allowing for more effective breeding blankets in fusion devices.