CERN and F4E combine efforts to spur advancements in fusion energy research
In a significant step forward for humanity's pursuit of limitless, carbon-free power, the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) and the EU agency Fusion for Energy (F4E) have joined forces to accelerate progress in frontier technologies. This partnership, which strengthens Europe's position in the global race towards fusion energy, will focus on engineering and construction of large-scale scientific instruments.
The collaboration, announced recently, aims to build upon a previous collaboration that began in 2014, initially focused on studying radiation's effects on materials. In April 2025, this collaboration was extended to cover radiofrequency (RF) power couplers. The latest agreement will see the scope of the collaboration widen significantly, opening the door to ambitious joint projects in engineering, testing, and scientific development.
Fusion energy, often described as the 'holy grail' of clean power, replicates the process that fuels the Sun by combining light atomic nuclei, such as hydrogen isotopes, to form heavier elements while releasing vast amounts of energy. Unlike nuclear fission, which splits atoms and produces long-lived radioactive waste, fusion offers the promise of abundant, safe, and virtually waste-free energy.
Harnessing fusion requires extreme conditions - temperatures hotter than the Sun's core and powerful magnetic fields to confine plasma. CERN established a dedicated fusion technology coordination unit in 2023, which will be part of the collaboration. This unit unites experts in accelerator physics, magnet design, and technology transfer.
The partnership will involve testing and validation of advanced materials, systems, and components. Project management and oversight of complex scientific initiatives is another area of collaboration. Knowledge transfer between research institutes and industry is also part of the agreement.
The new collaboration will also extend to R&D in physics and engineering, with applications beyond fundamental science. Projects like ITER in France, supported by F4E, aim to demonstrate that controlled fusion can be scaled into a practical, sustainable energy source for the future.
Mike Lamont, CERN's Director for Accelerators and Technology, commented on the partnership, stating that it reinforces a partnership built on mutual interests and long-term commitment. The aim is to ensure innovations in particle physics can also serve broader energy and engineering challenges.
This partnership represents a potential turning point in humanity's quest for limitless, carbon-free power. By working together, CERN and F4E hope to make fusion energy a reality, contributing to global efforts in fusion energy technology and paving the way for a cleaner, more sustainable future.
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