Saxony pools expertise in nuclear fusion

The project is being coordinated by the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR). The Fraunhofer Institute for Material and Beam Technology IWS is co-leading the project. Other renowned Saxon research institutions are also involved. SAXFUSION also involves major international projects and industrial partners through collaborations. The European Union and the German Federal State of Saxony are providing around €2.4 million in funding for the project from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

The controlled fusion of atomic nuclei offers the possibility of ensuring a sustainable, emission-free energy supply in the long term. There are various approaches to this, most of which aim to create and control a so-called plasma in which electrons and atomic nuclei can move freely independently of each other - just like inside our sun. Leading international facilities such as ITER in southern France, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in the USA and Wendelstein-7X in Greifswald have already made significant technological progress. Nevertheless, numerous questions remain unanswered, for example regarding the long-term stability of materials exposed to plasma or the efficient control of the fusion process. This is precisely where SAXFUSION comes in.

The network aims to develop into a central point of contact for partners from research, industry and society who are interested in fusion as a potential field of research and business and require sound information on the subject. It contributes directly to Germany's high-tech agenda with the expertise of partners from cutting-edge research, industry and universities in Central Germany. During a three-year development phase, the SAXFUSION team will identify and network existing expertise in Saxony. It will also supplement competencies in a targeted manner, for example by establishing new collaborations and long-term research and development strategies. SAXFUSION is starting with four central areas of expertise: Laser and optics technologies, development of fuel capsules including diagnostics of the fusion reaction, research into reactor materials and substances as well as simulations and data analysis.

SAXFUSION supports the goals of the fusion action plan recently presented by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space: from the construction of large-scale infrastructures, to the establishment of a complete value chain including the development of new business models, to the qualification of junior staff. Excellent basic research is the indispensable basis for developing the technologies and processes required for the subsequent construction and safe operation of fusion power plants.

• HZDR takes over strategic management and networking

The new network will be coordinated by Dr. Michael Bussmann's "Computational Radiation Physics" department. The HZDR institutes Center for Advanced Systems Understanding (CASUS) in Görlitz and Institute of Radiation Physics in Dresden are thus involved. The HZDR has established itself worldwide in plasma experiments and material tests, in research with high-power lasers and in the development of computer simulations and artificial intelligence for plasma research. Through the Helmholtz Center, the SAXFUSION network is also linked to major European research infrastructures such as the European XFEL or the Extreme Light Infrastructure, as well as international fusion research centers such as ITER and Wendelstein-7X.

• Fraunhofer IWS focuses on technology transfer

As co-project leader, the Fraunhofer IWS is responsible for the transfer into industrial practice. The institute offers unique manufacturing technology, process and material expertise as well as access to industrial networks. Companies, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, benefit directly from this transfer potential.

In addition to the two coordinators CASUS and Fraunhofer IWS, SAXFUSION involves other excellent research partners from Saxony. In addition, industrial partners and start-ups such as Amplitude (France), Marvel Fusion (Munich) and Focused Energy (Darmstadt) have already agreed to actively support the work of the network. In addition, there are close links to national initiatives of the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR), to European research programs (EURATOM) and to international fusion research (EuroHPC Center of Excellence Plasma-PEPSC).

SAXFUSION is financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and tax revenues based on the budget approved by the Saxon state parliament. The ERDF contributes to economic, social, and community cohesion by helping to balance regional differences within the EU. Saxony will receive around €1.95 billion from the ERDF for the 2021-2027 funding period.

• Overview of project partners
  • Center for Advanced Systems Understanding (CASUS) and Institute for Radiation Physics at the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR): Coordination, high-power lasers, plasma and materials research, networking with international fusion projects
  • Fraunhofer Institute for Material and Beam Technology IWS: Co-project management, technology transfer, plant and process engineering, industrial application and series production
  • Mittweida University of Applied Sciences: expertise in high-power lasers, micro- and nanoprocessing, additive manufacturing processes for fusion technologies
  • Zittau-Görlitz University of Applied Sciences: expertise in energy technology, electrical engineering, high-current and high-voltage technology, simulation systems
  • Dresden University of Technology (TUD): neutron generator, neutron spectroscopy, nuclear engineering training, laser and materials technology
  • Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden (IFW): development of new materials for reactor components, processing technologies, materials analysis
  • Leibniz Institute for Surface Modification Leipzig (IOM): surface processing, precision optics, technologies for shaping and smoothing optical components