Fusion

As part of an ARPA-E award, the MIT Plasma Science and Fusion Center will help explore new magnetic geometries for fusion devices, such as the mirror concept pictured here, in search of a faster and less-expensive path to fusion energy.

Plasma Science and Fusion Center receives $1.25M from ARPA-E to explore practical paths to fusion

MIT experience with heating plasmas will support novel and low-cost approaches to creating fusion energy.

April 15, 2020

A fusion community report recommends three science drivers and several new facilities to accelerate toward commercially relevant fusion power.

Fusion researchers endorse push for pilot power plant in US

Fusion energy community makes unified statement on priorities in report for Department of Energy Policy Advisory Group.

March 18, 2020

At an IAP workshop in the new nuclear makerspace, "MIT Nucleus," participants created fusors, devices that use an electric field to accelerate ions to energies high enough to fuse nuclei, giving off a purple glow.

Fusor workshop inaugurates nuclear makerspace

Building devices to study fusion at the new (and highly controlled) “MIT Nucleus” makerspace generates enthusiasm — and a purple glow.

February 24, 2020

Research Scientist Nathan Howard used data from MIT's Alcator C-Mod tokamak as the basis for an award-winning paper.

Nathan Howard wins Nuclear Fusion Award

Researcher unravels the mystery of heat loss in turbulent fusion plasmas.

January 29, 2020

For his prize-winning thesis, Pablo Rodriguez-Fernandez examined data from MIT's Alcator C-Mod tokamak (background).

Heating by cooling

Pablo Rodriguez-Fernandez resolves a fusion paradox to receive Del Favero Prize.

November 27, 2019

“We’d like to have an impact with the course on the greater debate about the use of nuclear energy as part of the solution for climate change,” says Professor Jacopo Buongiorno.

Enhanced nuclear energy online class aims to inform and inspire

Revamped version of MITx MOOC includes new modules on nuclear security, nuclear proliferation, and quantum engineering.

October 24, 2019

Anne White named head of the Department of Nuclear Science and Engineering

Fusion energy and turbulence modeling expert will succeed Dennis Whyte.

June 18, 2019

Yet-Ming Chiang, Kyocera Professor, Department of Materials Science and Engineering

3Q: Yet-Ming Chiang on reopening the case of cold fusion

The materials science and engineering professor is part of a multi-institution effort to investigate the possibility of cold fusion in a scientifically rigorous way.

May 27, 2019

Cross sections of pressure profiles are shown in two different tokamak plasma configurations (the center of the tokamak doughnut is to the left of these). The discharges have high pressure in the core (yellow) that decreases to low pressure (blue) at the edge. Researchers achieved substantial high-pressure operation of reverse-D plasmas at the DIII-D National Fusion Facility.

Steering fusion’s “D-turn”

Research scientist Alessandro Marinoni shows that reversing traditional plasma shaping provides greater stability for fusion reactions.

May 17, 2019

Vinod Khosla, who runs Khosla Ventures and was a co-founder of Sun Microsystems, delivered the David J. Rose Lecture.

Entrepreneur Vinod Khosla: “Focus on the consequences of success”

In David Rose Lecture, Sun Microsystems co-founder urges bold plans to address global challenges.

March 11, 2019

Members of the the PSFC's High-Energy-Density Physics division gather in their Accelerator Facility, part of the new Center of Excellence.

Plasma Science and Fusion Center leads new Center of Excellence

Award will support educational and research efforts in high-energy-density physics at MIT and four academic research partners.

February 25, 2019

“Having representation from women, especially black women, in the [nuclear science and engineering] department was a huge factor in me wanting to come back,” says PhD candidate Raspberry Simpson.

From summer research program to PhD dissertation

Graduate student Raspberry Simpson’s scientific journey approaches fruition.

February 15, 2019

“It's useful to peek over someone’s shoulder," says Kevin Woller of the students he mentors. "The accelerator is a large machine. It’s not easy to put someone in front of it and say ‘OK, operate it!’"

Kevin Woller: From student to mentor

Research scientist gives back by passing along the nuts and bolts of plasma research.

January 25, 2019

Dennis Whyte, director of the Plasma Science and Fusion Center.

MIT continues progress toward practical fusion energy

In series of talks, researchers describe major effort to address climate change through carbon-free power.

January 24, 2019

MIT graduate student Caroline Sorensen earned a master’s degree at MIT in a MechE lab but is based at the Plasma Science and Fusion Center for doctorate work. “People are super excited about the future of fusion, and there is this vibe of positivity and hopefulness that what we’re doing is really going to make a difference," she says.

Tapping the MIT talent pool for the future of fusion

Excitement is rising in the push to get zero-carbon energy on the grid.

January 11, 2019

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