Fields
Fusion Energy
Fusion energy research aims to replicate the stellar process of nuclear fusion on Earth, fusing hydrogen isotopes to produce abundant, low-carbon electricity. The construction of ITER in France represents the largest scientific collaboration in history, designed to demonstrate net energy gain from a tokamak. In parallel, private ventures like Commonwealth Fusion Systems are pursuing compact tokamaks using high-temperature superconducting magnets to accelerate the timeline to commercial fusion. In 2022 the National Ignition Facility achieved fusion ignition for the first time, a historic milestone for inertial confinement. Fusion energy could provide baseload power with minimal fuel supply chains and virtually no long-lived radioactive waste.
Details
- Avg Funding
- $2.1M
- Key Technologies
- High-Temperature SuperconductorsNeutral Beam InjectionPellet FuelingTungsten Plasma-Facing ComponentsNIF Ignition Lasers
- Subfields
- Tokamak PhysicsInertial ConfinementPlasma HeatingTritium BreedingSuperconducting Magnet Technology
- Top Institutions
- ITER OrganizationMIT PSFCEUROfusion ConsortiumGeneral FusionCommonwealth Fusion Systems