Nuclear Fusion and The Promises of a new Nuclear Era

Speaker: Dr. Alfredo Portone, Nuclear Engineer @ Fusion for Energy

Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87232580943?pwd=MnJlU2tOa05URktIaitIZWxlV3JLdz09

Topic

This talk will introduce the principles of nuclear fusion and the ITER (‘The Way’ in Latin) project, one of the most ambitious energy projects in world history. Fusion is the nuclear reaction that powers the Sun and the stars and is the process by which two light atomic nuclei combine to form a single heavier one while releasing massive amounts of energy (four times as much as nuclear fission). Proponents argue that fusion could become a near-infinite source of sustainable energy, thus fuelling the energy transition, but many challenges remain! Tune in to learn more about the power of nuclear fusion and the main challenges related to this technology.

About the Speaker

Alfredo Portone received the Laurea degree (cum laude) in nuclear engineering from the University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy, in 1987, and the Ph.D. degree in electrical engineering from Imperial College, London, U.K., in 1994. Since 1990, he has been working on plasma engineering and control for the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER). He joined the ITER Team in Naka, Japan, from 1993 to 2000 to work on the design of the plasma control system. Since April 2008, he has been with the Analysis and Codes Group, Fusion for Energy, Barcelona, Spain. His main research activities include plasma engineering and control, superconducting magnet technology, and tokamak engineering design and analysis.