Bridge builder Tony Donné looks back on career as a fusion researcher

Portrait of an older gentleman with gray hair, wearing a suit jacket and pocket square.

Tony Donné has devoted his entire working life to fusion research. First in scientific roles in the Netherlands, and for the past nine years as head of the European research consortium EUROfusion. In December, Tony will take his leave and retire. We look back on his impressive career.

First observation of how fusion keeps itself hot boosts confidence in ITER and future fusion power plants

Researchers from the EUROfusion consortium announced scientific results from their record-breaking experimental campaign at the Joint European Torus (JET) fusion facility in 2021. These results, announced at the 29th IAEA Fusion Energy Conference in London, include the first direct observations of alpha heating, the process by which the fusion reaction can keep its fuel hot. Other important results include control techniques to protect the walls of fusion machines, heating techniques, and ways to recover fusion fuel absorbed in the walls of the machine. The work will prove crucial to operate future fusion experimental machines such as ITER and demonstrates the potential of fusion as a future energy source, say the researchers.

Ten talented scientists receive the EUROfusion Bernard Bigot Researcher grants

The EUROfusion consortium for the realisation of fusion energy has awarded ten EUROfusion “Bernard Bigot” Researcher Grants (ERG) to talented post-doctoral researchers across Europe. The ERG grants enable early-career researchers to develop innovative ideas and techniques to advance EUROfusion’s Roadmap to Fusion Energy.

Aspiring scientist visits JET

Each year, EUROfusion offers a visit to the JET facilities at UKAEA for one of the winners of the EUCYS Young Scientists Contest. Meet this year’s winner, physics student Patricia González Piquero at the Complutense University of Madrid as she travels to Culham to see the sights!

Four decades of revolutionary progress in fusion

EUROfusion proudly commemorates the 40th anniversary of the Joint European Torus’ (JET) first plasma, a remarkable milestone for the world’s largest and most advanced fusion research tokamak that has consistently set records and propelled our understanding of fusion science.