The Fort Collins, Colorado, building will focus on creating fusion energy as a viable clean energy source and include 5-foot-thick shielding walls.

Once completed, the 71,000-square-foot Advanced Technology Lasers for Applications and Science Facility will focus on creating fusion energy as a viable clean energy source, and will have the flexibility house the study of a range of topics related to matter interactions, per the release. The structure will be located at CSU’s Foothills Campus in Fort Collins, Colorado.

Beyond fusion and basic science research, the ATLAS Facility will also support interdisciplinary work into topics like medicine where lasers could be used to treat tumors. Other potential research includes microchip lithography and design, alongside detailed x-ray imaging of rapidly moving objects, such as airplane engine turbines, in full motion.

McCarthy expects the project to be completed in mid-2026