Website: [lppfusion.com](https://www.lppfusion.com) ### Introduction LPPFusion, officially known as Lawrenceville Plasma Physics, Inc., was founded in 2003 by Eric J. Lerner, who serves as the company's President and Chief Scientist. Headquartered in Middlesex, New Jersey, LPPFusion is a private company focused on developing a clean, safe, and affordable source of energy through nuclear fusion. The company’s mission is to create a decentralized fusion energy solution that produces zero emissions and zero nuclear waste, modeled on the fusion processes that power the Sun ([LPPFusion.com](https://www.lppfusion.com)). Specific employee count data is not publicly available, but the company operates as a small, research-focused entity with a lean team dedicated to advancing its innovative technology. As a private company, LPPFusion does not have a publicly traded ticker symbol and relies on private investments and crowdfunding to support its research and development efforts. Over the years, it has positioned itself as a niche player in the fusion energy sector, emphasizing an alternative approach to fusion compared to mainstream methods like tokamaks or inertial confinement. Its work aims to address global energy challenges with a technology that promises minimal environmental impact. ### Key Products and Technology LPPFusion is primarily focused on a single core technology known as Dense Plasma Focus (DPF), which it is developing under the project name **Focus Fusion**. - **Focus Fusion (Dense Plasma Focus Device)** - **Type**: Dense Plasma Focus fusion reactor - **Technical Specifications**: The goal is to achieve net energy output with a compact device, targeting a power output in the range of 5 MW per unit once operational. Specific efficiency metrics are not widely published, as the technology remains in the experimental phase. - **Fuel Type or Energy Source**: Utilizes a hydrogen-boron fuel mix (pB11), which is aneutronic, meaning it produces energy without generating significant neutron radiation or long-lived radioactive waste. - **Key Differentiators**: The aneutronic fuel choice offers safety advantages by minimizing radiation risks. The compact design of the DPF device aims for lower costs compared to larger fusion systems like tokamaks, and the technology supports decentralized energy production, potentially reducing infrastructure needs. - **Development Stage**: Currently in the experimental and research phase. LPPFusion has conducted numerous tests with its FF-2B device to refine plasma confinement and achieve higher temperatures necessary for net energy gain. The company has not yet reached breakeven (producing more energy than input) or commercial prototype status. - **Target Customers**: Primarily aimed at utilities, industrial sectors, and potentially government entities seeking clean, decentralized energy solutions for grid power or localized applications. The technology remains in a pre-commercial stage, with ongoing efforts to overcome technical challenges related to plasma stability and energy output ([LPPFusion.com](https://www.lppfusion.com)). ### Regulatory and Licensing Status As a nuclear fusion company, LPPFusion’s regulatory path differs from fission-based nuclear technologies, as fusion does not produce long-lived radioactive waste or pose the same proliferation risks. Consequently, the regulatory oversight by bodies like the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is less stringent for fusion projects at this stage. There is no public record of LPPFusion having submitted formal applications for design certification or licensing with the NRC, as the technology is still in experimental development and not yet ready for commercial deployment ([NRC.gov](https://www.nrc.gov)). Key regulatory milestones are not applicable at this time, given the pre-commercial status of the technology. However, as fusion energy gains traction, frameworks are evolving, with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and other bodies beginning to establish guidelines for fusion energy commercialization ([DOE.gov](https://www.energy.gov)). LPPFusion will likely need to engage with regulators in the future to ensure compliance with safety and environmental standards once it progresses toward prototype testing or deployment. The estimated timeline to first commercial deployment remains speculative, with the company indicating a multi-year horizon contingent on achieving scientific breakeven and securing additional funding. ### Team and Leadership LPPFusion’s leadership is centered around its founder and key technical mind, Eric J. Lerner, with a small team supporting research efforts. Detailed information on the full executive team is limited in public sources. - **Eric J. Lerner (President and Chief Scientist)**: Founder of LPPFusion, Lerner is a plasma physicist with decades of experience in fusion research. He is the primary driver behind the company’s Focus Fusion technology and has authored numerous scientific papers and books on cosmology and plasma physics. No verified X handle is publicly associated with him for inclusion here. Additional team members or executives are not widely documented in accessible sources, reflecting the company’s small scale and research focus ([LPPFusion.com](https://www.lppfusion.com)). ### Funding and Financial Position LPPFusion has relied heavily on private investments, crowdfunding, and small grants to fund its research. According to data from PitchBook, the company has raised funding through multiple small rounds, though exact figures for total capital raised are not publicly disclosed in recent sources ([PitchBook](https://pitchbook.com/profiles/company/87098-68)). A notable aspect of its funding strategy includes crowdfunding campaigns via platforms like Wefunder, where it has raised over $1 million from individual investors in rounds dating back to 2014-2020. However, specific details on the latest round or recent funding amounts are not available as of the most current data. As a private company, LPPFusion does not report market cap or stock performance. Key institutional investors are not prominently listed in recent public records, though past backers have included individual angel investors and small venture funds. The company remains pre-revenue, with no commercial contracts or operational projects to date, focusing entirely on research and development to achieve scientific milestones ([LPPFusion.com](https://www.lppfusion.com)). ### Recent News and Developments | Date | Event | Details | |---------------|--------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Oct, 2025 | Fusion Industry Updates | LPPFusion continues experimental work, though no specific breakthroughs reported this year ([IAEA.org](https://www.iaea.org)). | | Sep, 2025 | DOE Funding Announcements | DOE announced $134M for fusion research; no direct mention of LPPFusion as a recipient ([DOE.gov](https://www.energy.gov)). | | Jan, 2025 | Private Fusion Milestones | Industry reports highlight private fusion companies aiming for breakeven in 2025; LPPFusion’s progress unclear ([Science.org](https://www.science.org)). | | Dec, 2024 | [[General Fusion]] Funding | Competitor [[General Fusion]] raises $51M, reflecting growing investor interest in fusion, though not directly tied to LPPFusion (Posts on X). | | Mon, 2023 | Experimental Updates | LPPFusion reported ongoing tests with FF-2B device in prior years, though recent updates are limited ([LPPFusion.com](https://www.lppfusion.com)). | Note: Specific news events for LPPFusion in 2025 are scarce in public sources, reflecting limited media coverage or major announcements. The table includes broader industry events for context where direct updates are unavailable. ### Partnerships and Collaborations LPPFusion has not publicly announced significant partnerships or collaborations with utilities, government programs, or major technology firms as of the latest available data. The company operates largely independently, focusing on internal research rather than strategic alliances. There are no documented offtake contracts, utility agreements, or government-backed projects specific to LPPFusion ([LPPFusion.com](https://www.lppfusion.com)). This contrasts with other fusion startups like [[Commonwealth Fusion Systems]], which have secured high-profile partnerships (Posts on X). The lack of publicized collaborations may reflect LPPFusion’s early-stage status and niche approach to fusion technology. Future partnerships could emerge as the company progresses toward demonstrable results or seeks scaling opportunities. ### New Hampshire Relevance LPPFusion’s technology, while still experimental, could have potential relevance for [[New Hampshire]] (NH) if it advances to a deployable stage. NH hosts [[Seabrook Station]], a nuclear fission plant, and is part of the ISO New England (ISO-NE) grid, which prioritizes clean energy integration. LPPFusion’s compact 5 MW Focus Fusion units, if successful, could theoretically serve as decentralized power sources for grid support, data center loads (a growing demand in the Northeast), or industrial heat applications in NH. However, the technology’s readiness is far from aligning with NH deployment timelines. With no commercial prototype or regulatory approvals, deployment in NH or elsewhere is likely a decade or more away. NH legislative initiatives like HB 710, which explore advanced nuclear options including small modular reactors (SMRs), do not specifically address fusion but could provide a future framework if fusion technologies mature. LPPFusion has no documented connections to NH or expressed interest in the Northeast US market specifically, though its headquarters in New Jersey places it within regional proximity ([LPPFusion.com](https://www.lppfusion.com)). The primary barrier remains the experimental nature of its technology, limiting near-term applicability. ### Competitive Position LPPFusion operates in a competitive fusion energy landscape alongside companies pursuing varied approaches. Compared to **[[Commonwealth Fusion Systems]] (CFS)**, which focuses on tokamak technology with significant funding (over $2 billion) and partnerships with entities like Google DeepMind (Posts on X), LPPFusion’s Dense Plasma Focus approach is less capitalized and lacks comparable industry backing. CFS is also closer to prototype development with its SPARC project. Another competitor, **[[TAE Technologies]]**, leverages a field-reversed configuration and recently merged in a $6 billion deal involving Trump Media, securing substantial capital for scaling ([Reuters](https://www.reuters.com)). [[TAE Technologies|TAE]]’s aneutronic fuel approach aligns with LPPFusion’s, but its advanced funding and partnerships provide a significant edge. Lastly, **General Fusion**, with over $51 million in recent funding, pursues magnetized target fusion and has clearer commercial milestones (Posts on X). LPPFusion’s unique advantage lies in its compact, potentially low-cost design, but it faces risks from limited funding and slower progress toward breakeven compared to better-resourced peers. Its niche focus on DPF technology may either carve out a unique market or struggle against mainstream fusion approaches. ### Closing Note LPPFusion remains an early-stage fusion research company with a promising but unproven Dense Plasma Focus technology, facing a long trajectory toward commercialization amidst fierce competition and funding challenges. **RSS_FEED**: none (Note: No official RSS feed for press releases or news was found on [LPPFusion.com](https://www.lppfusion.com) or through broader web searches. Updates are primarily shared via the company website or occasional social media posts.) *Report generated December 24, 2025*