Fusion Expo at ESM 2006

Between tomorrow and Friday a Fusion exhibition will be hosted at the University of Malta, as part of Expo Science Med 2006 organised by NSTS.

The "fusion expo" is an itinerant exhibition established by the European Commission to promote fusion energy and the European research programme which aims to develop a future fusion power plant.

It is aimed primarily at pupils and university students and serves to encourage them to study science, and in particular, the subjects of interest to the fusion programme.

The goal of European fusion research is to demonstrate the viability of fusion as a future energy option to meet the needs of a growing world population. The abundant and widespread fuel resources, the inherent safety aspects, and the environmental friendliness of fusion are all reasons why Europe and the large nations of the world are pursuing its development as a possible future energy source.

Achieving the aim of making fusion a viable energy source will require a sustained long-term research effort. Because of the scale of this research, and the need for expertise in a wide range of disciplines, the majority of EU member states are collaborating with other nations in a joint effort carried out within the European Atomic Energy Community (EURATOM).

The principle tool used to implement this participation is the 'Contract of Association' between EURATOM and the member states (or an organisation within a state) to create a 'EURATOM Association'.

The success achieved to date shows that the collaboration is ready to demonstrate the scientific and technical feasibility of fusion by a further major experiment, called ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor), that is essentially the 'core' of a future fusion power station. Collaboration on a global scale is being discussed to construct and operate such an experiment.

Locally, a group of researchers from the Faculties of Science and Engineering at the University of Malta are exploring the possibility to participate in the EU Fusion Programme as a trans-national research unit of the Italian Fusion Association ENEA (Ente per le Nuove Technologie, l'Energia e l' Ambiente).

Besides giving Maltese researchers the opportunity to participate in a world research programme by using the experimental facilities owned by a number of Fusion Associations, this will also enable local industry to apply for EU-funded contracts for the procurement of ITER-related technology.

Moreover, participation in fusion research can lead to a number of important spin-offs which can have direct applications in medicine and industry.

For more information I can be contacted at joseph.sultana@um.edu.mt.