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The University of California is allocating $8 million in grants for fusion energy research across its campuses, including $550,000 to the Santa Cruz Institute for Particle Physics (SCIPP) for developing diamond-based sensors. These sensors aim to monitor radiation in fusion reactors, addressing limitations of silicon sensors in extreme environments.

SCIPP has partnered with Advent Diamond to create sensors capable of enduring high heat and radiation. The collaboration is part of efforts to advance fusion energy technology, which promises clean and safe energy with minimal waste. While fusion power has potential benefits, challenges remain in engineering and design before commercial viability can be achieved.