Fusion

“We now strongly believe that these magnetic fields critically affect structure formation in the universe — they are critical to shaping the world as we see it," says Associate Professor Nuno Loureiro.

Probing the magnetic universe

Nuclear Science and Engineering Associate Professor Nuno Loureiro ponders the origins of magnetic fields.

June 23, 2017

Assistant Professor Zach Hartwig joined the Department of Nuclear Science and Engineering faculty this year after almost a decade of doctoral and postdoc work at MIT.

Zach Hartwig: Applying diverse skills in pursuit of a fusion breakthrough

Newly-appointed Assistant Professor Zach Hartwig's mission is to use nuclear technology to benefit society and the environment.

May 22, 2017

“I want to empower girls to feel they belong in these fields,” says Monica Pham, a sophomore in nuclear science and engineering.

Monica Pham: Advancing nuclear power and empowering girls

Sophomore researches fusion energy and promotes STEM opportunities for young women.

April 21, 2017

“My upbringing fostered the desire to tackle big problems that have a global impact," says MIT grad student Julien Barber. "Fusion fits the bill of a global remedy for both energy needs and some environmental problems. It’s trying to change the game.”

Julien Barber: Protecting magnets and the environment

Master's candidate explores ways to cool high-temperature superconductors used in fusion research.

March 27, 2017

Thirty-three students presented their research at the 2017 Nuclear Science and Engineering Graduate student Expo on March 17.

A showcase of nuclear science and engineering at MIT

Nuclear Science and Engineering Expo provides an opportunity for prospective grad students and the MIT community to learn about department research.

March 24, 2017

At MIT, Hong Sio can be found in the PSFC High-Energy-Density Physics (HEDP) accelerator facility, which develops and characterizes nuclear diagnostics for inertial fusion facilities across the country, including NIF and OMEGA. "The opportunity to be so deeply involved at these world-class facilities as a graduate student is nothing short of remarkable,” he says.

Hong Sio: On the road for fusion

Ph.D candidate enjoys a range of fusion research from coast to coast.

February 28, 2017

Left to right: Gabriela Schlau-Cohen, Rafael Jaramillo, David Hsu, Nuno Loureiro

New faculty strengthen, broaden MIT’s energy expertise

MIT's newest faculty bring a wide array of energy interests and developments to the Institute.

February 7, 2017

“I was interested in clean energy. In a physics textbook, on literally the last page, they made a reference to fusion, ‘the power source of the future.’ I was intrigued and decided to find out more,” says PhD candidate Brandon Sorbom.

Brandon Sorbom: Designing a fusion future

PhD candidate explores a faster, high-magnetic-field pathway to fusion energy.

January 23, 2017

Featured video: Touring MIT's nuclear facilities

Two graduate students provide an inside look at MIT's network of nuclear facilities and labs that mimic the footprint of a national lab.

January 3, 2017

“As a child I would throw a ball through the air and wonder why it made a curved shape; I would hold an ice cube in my hand and wonder at the processes that made it melt. And it turned out there are physical models for all those things and you can explain them somehow with math. That was just really beautiful for me,” says MIT graduate student Libby Tolman.

Fusing theory and practice

Grad student Libby Tolman melds the elegance of theoretical physics with practical applications of nuclear science.

November 14, 2016

Alex Tingly (right), a graduate student in the Department of Physics, and senior research scientist Earl Marmar, head of the Alcator C-Mod project since 2002, review data on synchrotron emission from relativistic electrons in plasma.

High-intensity fusion

MIT’s Alcator C-Mod nuclear reactor winds down — and defines its legacy on its final run.

October 14, 2016

The interior of the fusion experiment Alcator C-Mod at MIT recently broke the plasma pressure record for a magnetic fusion device. The interior of the donut-shaped device confines plasma hotter than the interior of the sun, using high magnetic fields. Postdoc Ted Golfinopoulos, shown here, is performing maintenance between plasma campaigns.

New record for fusion

Alcator C-Mod tokamak nuclear fusion reactor sets world record on final day of operation.

October 14, 2016

MIT freshmen and counselors pose in front of the Hull Wind turbine next to Hull High School. The turbine has provided renewable energy for the town since 2001.

Energy orientation introduces freshmen to low-carbon technologies on campus and in the region

September 21, 2016

"When I learned about fusion I thought: This is the future!” —Silvia Espinosa, PhD candidate

On the edge of discovery

For PhD student Silvia Espinosa, a passion for solving theoretical puzzles fuels a quest for fusion energy.

September 13, 2016

MIT Energy Initiative researchers are making technological progress across the low-carbon energy spectrum.

Addressing climate change with Low-Carbon Energy Centers

New interdisciplinary centers will advance clean technology in key areas.

July 28, 2016

MIT News | Massachusetts Institute of Technology

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