Space-age cathodes have what it takes to power modular nuclear fusion reactors here on Earth.

Carbon fiber cathodes were initially designed to withstand extreme conditions found in aerospace and defense applications. Now they may be a key ingredient in the next generation of plentiful and affordable clean energy.

KULR, a provider of advanced thermal management solutions, recently announced the development of proprietary carbon fiber cathodes for a prominent nuclear fusion company to be integrated into small modular reactors (SMRs).

Unlike conventional nuclear fission, fusion doesn't produce radioactive waste, offering a supply of potentially limitless clean energy with low environmental impact, considered the "holy grail" of clean energy.

Driven by the ongoing AI boom, the growing number and size of data centers are demanding vast amounts of energy.

"According to Goldman Sachs, data center energy demand currently represents 1-2% of global demand and is set to double by 2030 – largely driven by demand for AI powered applications," cited KULR in its press release. "By working with leading nuclear fusion companies, KULR aims to advance the possibilities of fusion technology to meet the energy demands of tomorrow while addressing climate change."

Today, as global demand for sustainable energy grows, an increased focus on nuclear is coming from large tech companies, called "hyperscalers", offering cloud computing, data storage, and networking services. To accommodate this expanding industry, KULR's innovations are intended to contribute to the buildout of abundant, clean energy sources that are quick and easy to install and expand as needed.

KULR's carbon fiber cathode was initially designed to withstand the rigors and harsh environments of aerospace and defense.

"This innovative material was developed alongside related technologies which are utilized in aerospace and missile systems, including the Mars Rover," the company wrote.

The same high-performance characteristics needed to withstand the rigors of space make the technology equally suited for nuclear fusion systems.

"KULR's expertise in space-proven engineering uniquely positions us to support mission-critical energy solutions," said KULR CEO Michael Mo. "By applying our advanced materials to nuclear fusion, we are taking meaningful steps toward addressing the United States' critical energy needs and advancing its broader goals of energy security and sustainability."

The custom cathodes are ideal for small reactors, an emerging technology with the potential to deliver affordable, reliable nuclear fusion energy. This approach uses high-powered lasers to trigger fusion reactions, supporting commercially viable fusion energy capable of meeting escalating demand and reinforcing KULR's leadership in the energy management space and commitment to advancing the global energy transition.