Finnish researchers collaborating with US entities to commercialise fusion energy

Funded by the US Department of Energy, the project seeks to solve the challenges materials face in the extreme conditions of fusion reactions, with a focus on materials for the first wall of fusion reactors. The lack of materials that can withstand the extreme temperatures and radiation the wall will be exposed to for years has been a significant obstacle to the commercial implementation of fusion power.

“Fusion energy is considered the ‘holy grail’ of clean energy, but issues with material durability have slowed breakthroughs for decades,” remarked Anssi Laukkanen, research professor at VTT.

The Finnish research centre will bring to the table its expertise in computational materials engineering and artificial intelligence-based simulation methods, allowing for the testing of materials in extreme conditions with computational experiments. Laukkanen stated that the simulation-based approach can enable scientists to quickly discover, optimise and tailor-make materials for specific use cases, potentially cutting the development cycle of materials from decades to months.

“Fusion energy has long been a vision that has always been said to be 50 years away. Now research is advancing to the point where the first commercial players expect applications in just 5–10 years from now,” he noted.

“If successful, fusion energy could revolutionise energy production and help solve global climate challenges.”

The partnership is exciting not only due to its lofty scientific goals, but also due to it marking the first time the participation of a European research institution has been directly funded by the Department of Energy.

VTT in October also announced it has signed a memorandum of understanding on scientific and technology co-operation – with some overlap with ARPA-E – with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California, the US.

The co-operation will focus on biotechnology, critical materials and green technologies, quantum computing, energy materials and structural alloys, and materials for fusion energy, with the aim of developing new solutions for energy markets and sustainable development.

The Finnish research centre viewed its involvement in the internationally significant research projects will raise the profile of European technology in the US, as well as lay the foundation for new business opportunities in Europe.

“For us, this is not just about research, but also about bringing Finnish innovations to international markets,” stated Tua Huomo, head of sustainable products and materials at VTT. “Now we have an opportunity to be involved in developing new technologies with enormous market potential. The success of even one area could have significant impacts on economic growth.”