For the members of the newly established Cryogenic Project Team it was like Open Door Day—a unique opportunity to visit the largest cryoplant ever conceived. For the better part of an hour, they walked freely among pipes and tanks, wondering at the size, complexity and even the beauty of the huge installation. And although every element in this striking industrial landscape was familiar—after all, they had designed them all—the fascination was to see all the pieces assembled for the first time and to take in the whole of the installation from a thousand different viewpoints and perspectives."There's a huge difference between knowing that a certain tank is 30 metres high, and realizing what it actually feels like to be standing next to it," mused David Grillot, Cryogenic Project Team leader.And standing next to it they were, not (yet) in the steel and concrete reality of the future ITER cryoplant, but immersed with 3D goggles in a three-dimensional rendition.The ITER cryoplant—the  cryogenic installation that will distribute ultra-cold fluids to the Tokamak's superconducting magnets, thermal shield and cryopumps—is the first ITER building to be born into virtual existence.The rendering of the soccer-field-size installation, down to every pipe and manometre, is a spectacular achievement. "With this virtual model we have a guarantee that what we see and what we 'walk' through perfectly reflects the system as it will be." "When an issue arises we can bring all parties involved in front of the screen to acknowledge, tackle, and eventually solve the problem," says cryogenic engineer Adrien Forgeas (front, next to virtual room operator Manfreo Benoit). Forms, sizes, volumes, relative positions ... all proceed from the huge CATIA database that stores and manages the 3D blueprints of the installation."Basically, it's the same tool that CAD designers use on daily basis," says Grillot. "What we've added here, after having simplified the data, is the 'immersive' dimension. And of course, from a viewer's perspective, it makes for an entirely different experience..."Virtual renditions of the machine's different systems have already demonstrated their value in terms of communication. For the past year and a half, stopping at the ITER Virtual Reality Room has been a must for VIP visitors because nothing conveys the complexity, the challenges and the excitement of the project better than a 3D "immersive experience.""The virtual cryoplant will be a great communication tool, but it will be much more than that," says cryogenic engineer Adrien Forgeas. "When an issue arises—say about integration or about a sequence of installation—we can bring all parties involved in front of the screen to acknowledge, tackle, and eventually solve the problem."Access, maintenance and safety procedures will all benefit from the virtual cryoplant—a building made of billion bits of data that feels as real as its steel and concrete model.

A drone is flying over our heads; robots are moving on the ground. Exhibit booths are being installed in a studious atmosphere. Despite appearances, we are not at a technology fair but at the finals of the 5th edition of the ITER Robots contest—organized by Agence Iter France in close collaboration with the ITER Organization, the regional representation of the Ministry of Education, and CEA's Research Institute on Magnetic Fusion (IRFM) —at the Lycée des Iscles high school in Manosque. With 30 teams and more than 500 students, participation at the event this year reached an all-time high. For both junior high and high school students, the contest was officially integrated into their educational program. For several months, each group worked hard to design, build and program a Lego robot, putting their teamwork and project management skills to the test.   While technically oriented students were focused on the mechanical programming of the robot, their creative colleagues planned promotional display booths. ''We spent six months on this project," says 15-year-old Olivia, who was responsible for the programing of Isis 2.0—the little robot that won the final. "Participating in this contest was the occasion to learn how to work as a team and to approach technology in a fun way.''   The particularity this year was a general knowledge test that questioned students on the historical aspects of the ITER Project. After demonstrating that their robots could follow a predetermined trajectory and perform a number of remote handling tasks, the participants were asked to answer a series of questions on ITER.   "The contest this year opened its doors to a larger audience," rejoiced Rolland Rajaonarivony, a teacher in Salon-de-Provence and advisor for education in science and technology. "The opportunity to create a stand and the test in general knowledge attracted the non-technical profiles, giving every student a chance to play a role in the team.''   Sarah, a junior high student from the Rosa Parks Junior High in Marseille, agrees. "The contest was the occasion to learn about the ITER Project and to learn about ourselves. It enhanced our curiosity and our ability to manage a project from beginning to end."   For Sarah's teacher, winning the general knowledge test was the best reward for their efforts that, hopefully, will encourage the students to participate again next year.   For five years running, this successful contest has demonstrated the enthusiasm of young people for science and technology. At the award ceremony ITER Director-General Bernard Bigot congratulated the students on their "creativity, teamwork and enthusiasm''—three key qualities for the success of any scientific or industrial venture.   View the photo gallery below ...

Following the delivery of the tier-1 segments of the cryostat base in December, three of the six tier-2 base segments left India on 26 May aboard the "BBC Oregon." Tier-2 of the cryostat base is composed of six curved stainless-steel segments weighing approximately 120 tonnes each. Three of them are now in the cargo hold of the BBC Oregon for the long journey to France along with the corresponding transport frames.   Following inspection and packing activities at the Larsen & Toubro factory in Hazira, India, the components were loaded on 10-axle trailers on 21 May. The gigantic trailers then transported the cargo to Hazira Port. It is expected that the BBC Oregon will reach France in mid-June, for transport along the ITER Itinerary to the site.   The cryostat, when fully built, will be the largest vessel of its kind in the world.

In taking delivery this month of the first batch of all-metal ultra-high vacuum valves, the ITER vacuum team celebrated a number of "firsts."   Not only were the valves received in the basement laboratory of ITER Headquarters on 17 May the first developed with industry to meet ITER's demanding vacuum requirements, but they were also the pioneer samples of a standardization program that will make a catalogue of ITER-approved all-metal valves available to the Domestic Agencies at preferential prices.   In ITER, approximately 250 all-metal high-vacuum valves will be employed on the machine. By standardizing these critical components the ITER Organization is ensuring a simplified design, a smaller number of interfaces, and increased reliability—all at reduced cost.   Standardized components are easier and less expensive to procure, due to the "bulk" nature of purchases. In 2014, the ITER Organization signed a EUR 25 million Strategic Agreement with the vacuum valve company VAT. After just over one year of development, valves meeting ITER Organization requirements have been commercialized and are now part of the VAT catalogue. The valves will be available for order by the ITER Organization and Domestic Agencies at preferential rates. Similar standardizations are planned for other vacuum system components such as gauges and elastomer high-vacuum valves. In the months ahead, the valves received on site will be tested to ensure that they meet ITER technical specifications and to explore the operational envelope(s) of the valve(s).   "The valves will undergo a complex stress analysis as well as mechanical testing to fully validate them for their many applications on ITER," says Liam Worth, a member of ITER's Vacuum Section. According to Graeme Vine, responsible officer for the valve testing program, testing will also include shaking that mimics seismic events and helium leak testing on the valves to verify leak-tightness. Representative samples of each valve type will be sent to ITER by VAT for testing. "The results of the analysis and testing will provide us with the data necessary to fully design the support structures required for the valves on the machine," emphasizes Robert Pearce, Vacuum Section Leader. "In this way we can ensure the integrity and safety of the valves operation over the life of ITER."

During the next Symposium on Fusion Engineering (SOFE June 2017), Fusion Technology Awards will be presented for the years 2016 and 2017 to individuals who have made outstanding and innovative contributions to research and development in the field of fusion technology. The Awards each consist of a USD 3,000 cash prize and a plaque. Any person, regardless of nationality or Society affiliation, is eligible for the award, with the exception that no current member of the IEEE/NPSS Standing Committee on Fusion Technology may be considered. The nomination package should be sent to IEEE Senior Member Martin Nieto-Perez (m.nieto@ieee.org), and it should consist of a nomination letter describing the technical and/or leadership contributions on which the nomination is recommended and a resume from the candidate. The nomination deadline for the 2016 Award is 15 June 2016. For more detailed information on eligibility, basis for judging, nomination process and a list of past Award recipients, please visit IEEE_NPSS.org and go to the "Fusion Technology Awards" section.

In a report to the US Congress released on 26 May, the Department of Energy (DOE) recommends "that the US remain a partner in the ITER project through Fiscal Year 2018," at which time the country's participation in the project will need to be reassessed. "At this time, our continued participation [...] is in the best interest of the nation," writes Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz in the introductory message to the report. The 17-page report notes that "the management of the ITER Organization and the performance of the project have improved substantially" under Bernard Bigot's leadership. "The project is now being well-run." However, "the improvements and performance, while promising, still require additional time to determine if they will be sustained and lead to the long-term success of the project." Despite the accumulated delays "ITER remains the fastest path for the study of burning plasma," concludes the report. Photo: Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz Download the DOE report on US participation in ITER here.

The ITER Organization will participate in this year's international symposium Atoms for the Future—the annual meeting of students and young professionals from the nuclear field (more information here). ITER Director-General Bernard Bigot will be among the speakers on 27 June 2016, and two days later students will have the possibility to visit the ITER site in southern France. Registration for Atoms for the Future also gives you access to the World Nuclear Exhibition (28-30 June 2016) where the ITER Organization will be also be present.