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Manufacturing for the Fusion Industry: Why Rochester Is Exploring a High-Value Entry Point into a $14B Sector



ROCHESTER, N.Y. — As the global race to commercialize nuclear fusion accelerates, Rochester’s innovation community is convening to examine where Western New York fits in a rapidly scaling, capital-intensive industry.


On Friday, March 13, industry experts, technologists, and regional manufacturers will gather at NextCorps on the sixth floor of the Sibley Building for a full-day workshop titled Manufacturing for the Fusion Industry: Targets. The event runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and includes a catered lunch.


The focus: A small but critical component in the fusion supply chain known as a “target.”


The fusion industry has now raised more than $14 billion in private investment, supporting over 56 startups and employing more than 3,000 people directly, with an estimated 10,000 engaged across the broader supply chain. States including Tennessee, New Jersey, Washington, Wisconsin, and Massachusetts have introduced fusion-focused legislation to secure early positioning. In summer 2025, New Mexico issued a $750 million bond to attract fusion startups. The San Diego Economic Development Authority has projected fusion could generate 40,000 jobs and $125 billion in economic impact for California alone.


Against that backdrop, organizers say Western New York has a tangible opportunity, specifically in manufacturing consumable fusion targets.


Targets are small, high-value components used in inertial confinement fusion systems. They require precision machining, advanced materials handling, and rigorous quality assurance. In 2026, 32 organizations required fusion targets, yet only one commercial U.S. supplier was serving the market.


That imbalance is prompting a key regional question: Can Western New York become a manufacturing hub for this critical input?


The March 13 workshop will explore several strategic issues:

  • How large is the current market for fusion targets?

  • What is the projected long-term demand?

  • Which local firms have the capabilities to enter this supply chain?

  • What technical, quality, and customer requirements must manufacturers meet?


The event brings together national leaders in fusion science, commercialization, and advanced manufacturing.


Dr. Tom Mehlhorn, a veteran of more than 45 years in inertial confinement fusion, will provide technical context. Mehlhorn previously led the Plasma Physics Division at the Naval Research Laboratory and worked at Sandia National Laboratories for more than three decades. He currently teaches Fusion Reactor Technology at the University of Michigan and advises three private fusion companies. He is a fellow of the AAAS, APS, IEEE, and ANS.



Dr. Etosha Cave, Interim Managing Director of Activate NY and co-founder of Twelve, will discuss pathways to building manufacturing capacity around fusion energy. Twelve has raised more than $800 million to develop technology that converts CO₂ into fuels and materials. Cave, who holds a PhD from Stanford University, has been recognized by Vanity Fair and the Smithsonian for her work in innovation and entrepreneurship.



Dr. Matthew J. Moynihan, organizer of the workshop, has spent nearly two decades in the fusion industry. He is the author of “How Technological Breakthroughs in Nuclear Fusion Can Conquer Climate Change on Earth” and holds a PhD from the University of Rochester focused on manufacturing techniques for National Ignition Facility-scale targets. His background includes roles at the Bettis Atomic Power Laboratory and the Laboratory for Laser Energetics.



Dr. Cristina Canavesi, MBA, co-founder of Light Top Tech, a University of Rochester spinout supplying optical characterization tools to the medical industry, will bring the manufacturing perspective to the discussion. She holds a PhD in Optics from the University of Rochester and an MBA from the Simon School of Business, and has experience scaling precision technology ventures from lab to market.



Mr. Jack Hurley, MBA, will add a commercialization and corporate partnership lens. Hurley has held technology leadership roles at Verizon, GE, and Siemens, where he managed $40 million in strategic university research collaborations across energy, industry, and healthcare sectors. He holds an MBA from Wharton and previously served as a U.S. Navy officer.



For Rochester, a region with deep capabilities in optics, precision manufacturing, advanced materials, and defense-adjacent engineering, the workshop is not theoretical. It is an exploration of competitive positioning.


The University of Rochester’s Laboratory for Laser Energetics has long been central to fusion research. The question now is whether Western New York manufacturers can translate that institutional research base into commercial supply chain participation.


If fusion moves from experimental validation to scaled deployment over the next decade, demand for high-precision consumables like targets could grow significantly. Early entry into the supply chain could provide durable, high-margin manufacturing work for regional firms.


The March 13 workshop aims to assess whether that window is open and whether Rochester is prepared to act.


Connected Know covers Rochester and Western New York business, tech, startups, and emerging industries.

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