IFS Seminar

Abstract: The pursuit of fusion on earth has been, until recently, led largely by government-funded universities and labs. Recognizing the fundamental need/importance of Commercially Viable Fusion (CVF) for an energy-starved and growing world population, private capital has entered the scene with enthusiasm and determination. As private interest grows, the tendency is to think that the "problem" has been reduced to a technical one requiring only engineering solutions.  While fusion engineering is highly challenging, the pursuit of CVF will need continuous input of fundamental scientific ideas. While the goals can be societal and commercial, the pathway to getting there must be led by physics. We will explore the current vast fusion landscape and attempt to make a case why new physics will be crucial to make fusion energy affordable.