Research boost for future fusion reactor

Prof Hugh Summers

The EU Funded 4-year project ADAS-EU has helped researchers understand key behaviour of hydrogen in high temperature plasmas found in fusion reactors. The project was co-ordinated by Strathclyde Physics emeritus professor Hugh Summers.

Researchers are trying to make plasma hot enough for long enough, with other conditions right, for hydrogen fusion to occur. Accurate models that predict atomic processes amongst the different parts that make up the plasma are therefore crucial in developing a large-scale reactors. The research will be vital for the operation of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) that will pave the way for clean and sustainable power.

The project achieved all its objectives, he said, "leaving the ongoing ADAS Project in excellent health, very heavily used, fully engaged with ITER, and with world-leading data and outstanding fusion modelling and analysis capabilities."

15th September 2015