After an all-too-exciting end to 2025 in the fusion world, 2026 starts out relatively quiet.

SHINE acquires Lantheus SPECT, expanding its nuclear medicine portfolio. SHINE has long based its roadmap to commercial fusion energy with the route going through the commercial radioisotope market, among other non-energy destinations. This merger further advances its capabilities in the medical radioisotope markets. SHINE has been building up the systems and expertise to produce isotopes using its D-T fusion neutron generators (in this case, molybdenum-99) and Lantheus SPECT has built up a commercial business in the downstream processing, packaging, and distribution of medical radioisotopes. While SHINE is proving that there is a route to a successful non-energy fusion business, I remain skeptical that its plans position them well to be a major player in the fusion industry. They are executing on a more conservative pathway, which leaves it vulnerable to fusion primaries that are laser-focused on the energy mission.

"The U.S. government, long a proponent of fusion, is not currently structured to be able to take advantage of the moment and really lead to energy dominance," says the CFS CEO in an interview. This continues the story in the last fortnightly of the NYT reporting on China's rise in fusion.

With the confirmation of Douglas Weaver, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission is back to five commissioners. Having a full five-person commission will hopefully help it make progress on fusion-relevant rulemaking, which is critical for the industry.

The summary of UK-Japan civil nuclear dialogue has been published. This is an important exchange, as the UK and Japan have been historically strong centers of fusion energy R&D. With the UK losing the connection to Japan through Euratom and the Broader Approach after Brexit, this dialogue is even more important. Some key follow-ups this year include: 1. Harmonised, proportionate fusion regulation, codes, and standards, including direct regulator-to-regulator engagement and a UK delegation to Japan focused on codes and standards. 2. A push toward reciprocal facilities access and lab-to-lab collaborations (UKAEA with Japan’s QST/NIFS), especially on major projects like LIBRTI, CHIMERA, RACE, and JT-60SA. 3. Follow-up on UK–Japan fusion supply-chain cooperation and public-private partnership proposals. These two countries are setting a great standard for aligning and strengthing their fusion programs together.

CFS installs the first superconducting magnet in the tokamak hall. This is such a wonderful sight for me to see, as I built and led the team that produced the first structural designs of this magnet. It was a heck of a lot of fun coming up with a bunch of crazy concepts. The shape of the magnet is due to similar physics as the catenary curve seen in cables/chains hanging in gravity. The difference here is that the shape is due to the forces of the magnetic field on the current in the magnet. This is a big day for everyone involved, and I wish a hearty congradulations to the team!