Greeting from the Chair

The sun and other fixed stars shine because of nuclear fusion reactions taking place at their centers. Fusion research is the use of this energy to generate electricity, which is a clean energy source that does not emit carbon dioxide. Fusion research began in earnest in the world in the 1950s. At present, the conditions for creating a fusion reaction have largely been met, and ITER, currently under construction in France, is planned to generate fusion energy that is 10 times greater than the input energy. In the next phase, we will move to the power generation demonstration phase, called the DEMO reactor, and finally enter the realm where the realization of a fusion reactor is foreseeable.

On the other hand, there are still a wide range of research issues to be addressed, such as understanding of plasma physics, development of measurement devices, control technology, research on development of materials with excellent heat and radiation resistance required for reactors, and superconductivity technology. The Fusion Science Course seeks students who are willing to tackle these unexplored research issues. Our goal is to develop students to become general engineers who can work in any research field by honing their own skills with fusion science research as their axis. We look forward to your challenge.