On the fast track to operation

At the heart of fusion energy lies one of the universe’s most untamed elements: plasma—a high-energy state of matter seen in lightning, the aurora, and most spectacularly, in our sun. Scientists have spent decades trying to control it. But why? 

In this episode, host Kruti Fayot dives into the fascinating world of plasma: what it is, why it’s essential for fusion, how it’s being tamed inside machines like ITER, and the surprising role AI might play in the future of clean energy. Featuring insights from ITER experts Javier Artola, Michael Walsh, and Alberto Loarte, with a special introduction by plasma physicist Melanie Windridge and fusion analyst Jack Moore. If you’ve ever looked up at the Northern Lights or wondered how we’ll power the future — this one's for you.

Episode 3 of Behind the Science of Fusion is available now.

Find it on the ITER website's podcast page or open it directly here. You can also find the ITER podcast at Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, and Podbean.

Over the course of one very long day last week, sector module #7 was removed from vertical tooling and transferred into the tokamak pit where it now sits on temporary supports. The spectacular operation will be the subject of a detailed video, with interviews, later this week. For the time being, you can watch the operation in accelerated form in this 90-second time-lapse video.

See the video on YouTube here.

The European Domestic Agency Fusion for Energy (F4E) is calling for fusion technology transfer demonstrator proposals before 30 June 2025.

Open to European companies and research organizations, the call aims to support projects that propose to take fusion breakthroughs into new markets. Proposals will be evaluated on the feasibility of the demonstrator project, its innovation potential, and socio-economic impact.

Proposals should describe the further use or adaptation of a technology or skill developed under F4E activities into a new product or service in non-fusion applications. The Call invites entities from the fusion sector (F4E's Industrial Partners) and the non-fusion sector to submit proposals.

The selected proposal will receive up to EUR 50,000 to aid with implementation. See this webpage for all details.

Applications are open for the 2026 EUROfusion Bernard Bigot Researcher Grants funding individual post-doctoral research projects for two years starting in 2026. The grants will contribute to the salaries, research and training activities of up to nine outstanding early-career researchers. With this grant, EUROfusion encourages excellence and career development of researchers who are already in the fusion program and aims to attract high-quality potential candidates from outside fusion research.

Eligibility:

* Researchers and engineers of all nationalities in possession of a doctoral degree (PhD) who have completed the PhD and defended their thesis in the two years preceding the application deadline.
* The candidate must be employed by a EUROfusion Consortium member or one of their Affiliated Entities during the grant period. Interested candidates should jointly prepare their application with an institute(s) affiliated with EUROfusion, who will submit the application and offer to employ the candidate for the proposed duration of the project.

Apply by 12 May 2025. For all details, application documents, and deadlines see this webpage.