The Fusion Technology Institute investigates and assesses technological problems posed by controlled thermonuclear fusion reactors. The education of graduate students and the interdisciplinary experience obtained by PhDs from other fields who work in the institute provide needed research personnel for the national fusion program. These researchers are crucial to the institute's goal.

A major thrust of the institute is the conceptual design of fusion reactors. Completed designs include those based on the tokamak, tandem mirror, laser fusion, heavy ion and light ion beam fusion, and torsatron concepts. Current research topics include advanced fuels (for low neutron production), inertial-electrostatic confinement experiments, laser and ion-beam-driven inertial confinement reactors, recovery of helium-3 from the moon, and the application of fusion power in space.

The theory and analysis of fusion reactors involves many disciplines in applied physics and engineering. Therefore, a wide variety of research falls under the general heading of fusion technology.

Conceptual design of an autonomous mobile miner for extracting the fusion fuel, helium-3, from the lunar soil. (33K JPG)

Representative areas of ongoing analytical and experimental research in the Fusion Technology Institute include:

• Plasma physics
• Fusion plasma systems modeling
• Inertial-electrostatic fusion experiments
• Atomic physics related to high-density matter
• Inertial fusion target physics
• Materials, radiation damage, surface physics studies
• Steady-state and time-dependent neutronic analysis
• Blanket design and thermal hydraulics
• Shielding
• Superconducting magnet design
• Power plant analysis
• Tritium chemistry
• Space power applications

This program is an interdisciplinary research effort centered in EP. Both theoretical and experimental work is performed by EP faculty members; faculty from other areas such as chemical engineering, chemistry, mechanical engineering, geology and physics; staff scientists; and graduate as well as undergraduate students.

fti.neep.wisc.edu