Young researchers help forward the quest for fusion energy
Posted on 21 June 2013
Hosted by the Fusion Doctoral Training Network - which is led by the University’s York Plasma Institute, part of the Department of Physics - the FuseNet PhD Event from 24 to 26 June has attracted 70 delegates from countries including Germany, Holland, Italy, France and Ukraine.
Fusion is the process that powers the stars, including the Sun. If reproduced on Earth, fusion has the potential to provide a safe, environmentally friendly solution to the world's energy problem.
The Fusion Doctoral Training Network is a Centre for Doctoral Training, funded by the UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), which aims to provide the next generation of scientists to ensure the UK continues to play an internationally leading role in the development of fusion energy.
The PhD Conference in Fusion Science and Engineering provides an opportunity for young researchers to share their research ideas, learn from each other’s experiences and develop a network of contacts.
The student-led event will include posters, presentations, a careers event and a major debate. The programme also includes keynote speeches by Professor Bob Bingham, University of Strathclyde and Lorne Horton, European Fusion Development Agreement, EFDA, JET.
Delegates will also have an opportunity to take a tour of the York Plasma Institute (YPI), which was officially opened last year by the Government Chief Scientific Advisor. The result of a £4m (capital) collaboration between the University and the EPSRC, the YPI is a world-class interdisciplinary plasma science research centre.
The conference organising committee is made up of five European PhD students, including Ellie Tubman and Arka Bokshi from the University of York’s Department of Physics.
Ellie Tubman, a first-year PhD student studying Fusion Physics, said: “The PhD event will provide a fantastic opportunity to meet other researchers from across Europe working on fusion and to find out what’s being done to develop fusion at their institutions.
“It’s also a wonderful opportunity to show-case the superb new facilities at the York Plasma Institute and the world-class research being conducted at York.”
Notes to editors:
- For further information on the FuseNet PhD Event visit www.york.ac.uk/physics/postgraduate/fusion-dtn/fusenet/
- More information on the York Plasma Institute at the University of York at www.york.ac.uk/physics/ypi/
- With £2.4m of funding from the Research Councils UK Energy Programme, the Fusion Doctoral Training Network is a collaboration of universities and government research institutes that provides postgraduate training in fusion energy science and technology. It is part of the EPSRC’s Centres for Doctoral Training programme, working with other energy centres through the Energy CDT Network. For further information on the Fusion Doctoral Training Network visit www.york.ac.uk/physics/postgraduate/fusion-dtn/
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