DOE announces $49 million for research on basic laboratory fusion

WASHINGTON, October 10, 2024 – As the Department of Energy (DOE) continues to advance a clean energy future that includes fusion technology, a total of $49 million in funding was announced today for 19 projects in the Foundational Fusion Materials, Nuclear Science announced and technology programs.

The purpose of the funding is to realign the laboratory-based fundamental and fundamental research programs to better align and support the new FES program vision.

“The Fusion Nuclear Science Foundational Research Program, which enables research and development and advances research in fusion nuclear science and fusion materials, is critical to addressing critical science gaps critical to enabling fusion energy,” Jean said Paul Allain, DOE Deputy Director of Fusion Energy Sciences.

Fusion energy has the potential to revolutionize the world’s energy supply by providing a virtually unlimited, clean and sustainable source of energy. Unlike current nuclear energy, which relies on the splitting of atoms (fission), fusion mimics the process that powers the sun by combining atomic nuclei to release huge amounts of energy.

Fusion produces no long-lived radioactive waste, does not emit carbon dioxide, and uses abundant fuels such as hydrogen. If successfully exploited, fusion energy could provide a safe and reliable solution to meet global energy needs while significantly reducing the environmental impact of electricity generation.

The projects funded under this initiative cover a wide range of cutting-edge research areas, each critical to the development of fusion energy technology. For example, scientists are testing new magnet designs that will help control the extremely hot plasma needed for fusion.

Other teams are working on materials that can withstand the damage caused by plasma and ensure that the systems used to maintain the plasma remain functional and efficient. Some researchers are studying blanket materials designed to absorb the plasma’s heat and convert it into usable energy, while also studying how to make these materials durable enough to function in such extreme environments.

In addition, efforts are underway to improve the fuel cycle systems that help maintain the continuous flow of fuel required for fusion reactions. Finally, advanced structural materials are being developed to construct stronger and more durable components that can withstand the harsh conditions in the fusion systems. Together, these projects aim to improve our understanding and capabilities in the search for clean, sustainable fusion energy.

Projects were selected through competitive peer review as part of the DOE Lab Call: Opportunities in Foundational Fusion Materials, Nuclear Science, and Technology.

Total funding is $49 million for projects up to three years in duration, including $7 million for fiscal year 2024 and funding for the following year from congressional appropriations. The list of projects and further information can be found on the Fusion Energy Sciences program homepage.

Source: DOE Office of Science