The
Laboratory has signed a memorandum of understanding to engage in joint
research and to promote the exchange of personnel with Spain’s Instituto
de Fusion Nuclear (IFN), a research institute of the Universidad
Politecnica de Madrid (UPM) to explore the highest level of nuclear
fusion research.
The
Laboratory and IFN have had a long history of collaboration; the MOU
serves to solidify that association as part of UPM’s focus on building
international relationships to support stability and growth in research.
“This
agreement will provide a platform for the Laboratory and IFN to build
on a decades-long tradition of common research in areas related to high
energy density science, inertial confinement fusion, inertial fusion
energy and basic science,” said Tomás Díaz de la Rubia, the Lab’s deputy
director of Science & Technology.
The
two parties will exchange information and conduct joint research in
areas including high energy density science and other fundamental
science topics; fundamental science experiments of common interest in
LLNL’s National Ignition Facility; and various topics within the Lab’s
Laser Inertial Fusion Engine program, or LIFE.
NIF
will serve as a central point in the research collaboration, bringing
its strength as the world’s largest and most energetic laser to support
the parties’ research in areas of vital importance to the world. A focus
is research conducted to support NIF’s Inertial Fusion Energy Program,
its demonstration of fusion energy, and the technology’s suitability for
large-scale, laser fusion-driven power plants. “This compliments both
the LLNL mission and research IFN is currently undertaking, providing a
natural place for collaboration,” Díaz de la Rubia added.
In
addition to supporting shared research, the MOU provides for the
exchange of scientists and students between LLNL and IFN. These
researchers will work to support the common research interests at both
institutions.
