SOUTHLAKE, Texas, Feb. 06, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Renewal Fuels, Inc. (OTC: RNWF) (“RNWF” “American Fusion” or the “Company”), announced today the appointment of Dr. John E. Brandenburg, Ph.D., as Chief Technology Officer of Kepler Fusion Technologies, effective immediately.
Dr. Brandenburg is a senior plasma physicist with more than four decades of experience in fusion energy, advanced propulsion, and applied plasma physics. He brings deep technical expertise to the Company’s mission of commercializing the Texatron™ aneutronic fusion platform.
Dr. Brandenburg’s career includes senior scientific roles at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Sandia National Laboratories, The Aerospace Corporation, the Florida Space Institute at Kennedy Space Center, and Orbital Technologies Corporation (ORBITEC). He has held U.S. government security clearances at the Top Secret, Secret, Q, and SITK levels in connection with sensitive national research programs supporting defense and energy initiatives.
Dr. Brandenburg earned his Ph.D. in Plasma Physics from the University of California, Davis in 1981, where his doctoral research focused on field-reversed plasma layers created by mono-energetic ions. He also holds a Master’s degree in Applied Science from UC Davis and a Bachelor’s degree in Physics from Southern Oregon University.
Distinguished Career in Fusion and Plasma Physics
At Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Dr. Brandenburg conducted research on magnetically confined thermonuclear fusion and performed LASNEX modeling on inertial confinement fusion pellet designs. At Sandia National Laboratories, he worked on relativistic electron beam physics and plasma interactions for defense applications.
As Principal Scientist at The Aerospace Corporation, Dr. Brandenburg directed the CMTX compact fusion propulsion experiment and supported national security programs, including MASINT analysis. He received a formal Letter of Commendation for technical contributions to the Cobra Judy Replacement Project.
While at the Florida Space Institute at Kennedy Space Center, Dr. Brandenburg led research in microwave electro-thermal propulsion, magnetically confined fusion plasmas, and plasma chemical processing for in-situ resource utilization. He also taught aerospace systems and propulsion coursework and conducted research into alternative fuel production.
At ORBITEC, Dr. Brandenburg led vortex rocket engine theory development and experimental testing, directed lunar and Martian plume interaction research, and contributed to advanced propulsion and electromagnetic shielding systems.
Since February 2019, Dr. Brandenburg has served as lead scientist and technology architect at Kepler Aerospace Ltd. and Kepler Fusion Technologies, where he has played a central role in developing the Texatron™ compact toroidal fusion concept. Under his leadership, the Company has advanced theoretical research, proof-of-principle plasma confinement validation, and fusion-based clean energy systems development.
Intellectual Property and Scientific Contributions
Dr. Brandenburg is the inventor or co-inventor on multiple issued U.S. patents covering plasma reactors, propulsion systems, hydrogen and ammonia processing, and persistent ionization plasma generation. His issued patents include U.S. Patent Nos. 6,205,769; 5,956,938; 7,037,484; 7,094,384; 8,101,032; 6,441,552; and 6,838,831.
He has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications across IEEE, AIAA, APS Division of Plasma Physics proceedings, and related scientific journals. He is also the author of The GEM Unification Theory: Extending the Standard Model to Include Gravitation.
Dr. Brandenburg is a Lifetime Member of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and has received multiple professional awards recognizing his scientific, technical, and educational contributions.
Brent Nelson, CEO of Kepler Fusion Technologies, commented, “Dr. Brandenburg is one of the most accomplished plasma physicists working in fusion energy today. His decades of experience at premier national laboratories and his hands-on leadership in developing the Texatron™ platform make him uniquely qualified to guide our technology toward commercial deployment. John’s deep understanding of plasma confinement and practical engineering is exactly what we need at this stage.”
Richard Hawkins, Chairman and CEO of Renewal Fuels, Inc., added, “Dr. Brandenburg’s appointment represents a major step forward for American Fusion. His career spans Lawrence Livermore, Sandia, Aerospace Corporation, multiple issued patents, and peer-reviewed scientific leadership. As we build an infrastructure-grade fusion platform, his technical vision and commercialization focus will be invaluable.”
In his role as Chief Technology Officer, Dr. Brandenburg will oversee technology strategy, reactor physics, experimental validation, intellectual property development, and long-term commercialization readiness for the Texatron™ platform.
For additional information on Dr. Brandenburg’s background, his full curriculum vitae is available at: https://kepleraerospace.com/about-us/dr-john-brandenburg-phd/
For more information about Kepler Fusion Technologies and its Texatron™ platform, please visit: http://www.keplerfusion.com and americanfusionenergy.com
About Renewal Fuels, Inc. and American Fusion
Renewal Fuels, Inc. (OTC: RNWF) is an advanced energy platform company focused on the development and commercialization of fusion energy technologies through its wholly owned subsidiary, Kepler Fusion Technologies. Following its previously announced merger with Kepler, the Company is operating under the American Fusion brand and has filed a corporate action with FINRA to change its legal name to American Fusion Inc. The Company’s strategy is centered on building a scalable, infrastructure-grade fusion energy platform supported by proprietary technology, disciplined intellectual property development, and long-term commercial deployment objectives.
About Kepler Fusion Technologies
Kepler Fusion Technologies is an advanced energy technology company developing the Texatron™ aneutronic fusion platform. Kepler’s technology is designed to support modular, infrastructure-grade deployment for industrial, commercial, and grid-constrained applications. The Company’s development strategy emphasizes system-level engineering, disciplined intellectual property protection, and scalable architectures intended to support long-term commercial operation. Kepler Fusion Technologies operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of Renewal Fuels, Inc. (OTC: RNWF).
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including statements regarding the Company’s plans, objectives, expectations, and intentions, such as statements relating to the proposed transaction, potential change of control, valuation expectations, technology development and commercialization, litigation matters, SEC registration, exchange uplisting, and future business operations. Words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “should,” “will,” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. These statements are based on management’s current expectations and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially, including the ability to negotiate and execute definitive agreements, satisfy closing conditions, complete due diligence, obtain regulatory approvals, develop and commercialize fusion technology, resolve litigation matters, obtain financing, engage audit firms and complete audited financial statements, achieve or maintain compliance with SEC or exchange requirements, and general market and economic conditions. References to third-party companies, technologies, or transactions are based on publicly available information and are provided solely for comparative or informational context. The previously announced letter of intent is non-binding and subject to completion of due diligence, negotiation and execution of definitive agreements, and satisfaction of closing requirements. No assurances can be given that any proposed transaction or change of control will be completed as described, or at all. This release is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements except as required by law.
Investor Relations Contact
Richard Hawkins
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
Renewal Fuels, Inc.
info@renewalfuels.net
