Department of Energy awards $49M to advance foundational fusion research

Department of Energy awards $49M to advance foundational fusion research
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Oct 11, 2024

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has allocated $49 million in funding for 19 projects aimed at strengthening laboratory-based research within its Foundational Fusion Materials, Nuclear Science, and Technology programs. This funding is intended to align basic science research efforts with the broader goals of the Fusion Energy Sciences (FES) program.

Jean Paul Allain, DOE Associate Director of Science for Fusion Energy Sciences, emphasized the importance of these initiatives, stating, "The Fusion Nuclear Science Foundational research program, in enabling research and development and furthering research in fusion nuclear science and fusion materials, is vital to addressing critical scientific gaps foundational to enabling fusion energy."

Fusion energy has the potential to transform the global energy landscape by offering an essentially unlimited, clean, and sustainable power source. In contrast to current nuclear technology that relies on fission, fusion replicates the process powering the sun by merging atomic nuclei, releasing vast amounts of energy.

One of the key advantages of fusion energy is that it produces no long-lived radioactive waste and emits zero carbon dioxide. It also utilizes readily available fuels, such as hydrogen. Successful development of fusion technology could meet global energy needs while significantly reducing the environmental impact of energy production.

The newly funded projects span multiple critical research areas aimed at advancing fusion energy. Researchers are exploring innovative magnet designs that can stabilize the superheated plasma required for fusion. Another focus is on developing materials that can withstand the intense conditions inside fusion reactors, such as damage from plasma exposure. Teams are also testing "blanket materials," which absorb heat from the plasma and convert it into usable energy, all while ensuring the materials can endure the reactor's extreme environment.

In addition, scientists are improving fuel cycle systems to sustain the continuous fuel supply necessary for fusion reactions. Advanced structural materials are also being developed to construct components robust enough to handle the harsh internal conditions of fusion reactors. These collective efforts are poised to drive significant progress toward achieving clean, sustainable fusion energy.

The projects were selected through a competitive peer-review process under the DOE's Lab Call for Opportunities in Foundational Fusion Materials, Nuclear Science, and Technology. The total funding of $49 million will support projects for up to three years.