European Nuclear Fusion Research: Opportunities and Perspectives

Tuesday Jan 27, 2026, 8:00 AM → 8:00 PM Europe/Rome

Sala Conferenze, Dipartimento di Fisica Università di Catania;

G A Pablo Cirrone (Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare), Salvatore Mirabella (Università di Catania)

 

The scientific meeting is dedicated to analyzing the state of the art of nuclear fusion research in Italy and Europe, with particular emphasis on inertial confinement fusion and the main scientific challenges associated with it. Among these, a central role is played by the variation of nuclear cross sections within plasmas under extreme conditions, the mechanisms of energy and particle transport, and the development of innovative solutions for materials and technologies aimed at increasing fusion yield. Research in this field is inherently multidisciplinary and encompasses nuclear physics and materials science, from the theory of fundamental interactions to power electronics, from plasma physics to advanced sensor technologies. Both at the national and European levels, the research landscape in this area is rapidly expanding, with growing interest from several multinational industrial stakeholders. During the day, research perspectives from several national research institutions (ENEA, INFN, and CNR) will be presented on topics such as laser–plasma and plasma–material interactions, micro- and nanoporous materials for advanced targets, and strategic infrastructures such as the high-power I-LUCE laser, supporting research and innovation in inertial fusion and the exploration of new energy-coupling schemes. The interests of major industrial players in the region, including STMicroelectronics and Infobiotech, will also be presented, with the aim of discussing opportunities for technology transfer, the development of enabling materials and technologies, and collaboration with the research community. The day will also address the opportunities offered by new national and European funding programs and their impact on the research ecosystem.

This one-day meeting is jointly organized with the three PhD courses located at the Physics Department: the PhD courses in Physics, Materials Science and Nanotechnologies and Complex Systems for Physical, socio-economic and Life Sciences

 

A remote connection to the meeting work is available at the following link on the TEAM platform

https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/39947904528151?p=bQS3NMVx9i9WSvSAW1

Meeting ID: 399 479 045 281 51

Passcode: qK9NG9Hz

idea1_Meeting_27_01_2026_GMF (1).pdf

9:00 AM → 9:20 AM Introduzione e saluti

9:20 AM → 9:30 AM Future fusion programs: the EURATOM point of view

Speaker: Dr Giacomo Cuttone (Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare)

9:30 AM → 10:10 AM Nuclear inertial fusion research in Italy and Europe and its future prospects

Speaker: Dr Fabrizio Consoli (ENEA - Centro Ricerche Frascati)

10:10 AM → 10:40 AM The INFN role in the nuclear fusion field

Speaker: Dr Marco Ripani (Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare)

INFN e Fusione Nucleare.pptx

10:40 AM → 11:10 AM Diagnostiche d’avanguardia per la fusione nucleare: la sinergia INFN e CNR-IMM a Catania

Speakers: Dr Francesco La Via (CNR-IMM), Dr Salvatore Tudisco (Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare)

Nuclear Fusion Opportunities_v3.pptx

11:10 AM → 11:30 AM Coffee break

11:30 AM → 11:50 AM La facility laser I-LUCE a Catania e le sue prospettive nel campo della fusione nucleare

Speaker: Dr G A Pablo Cirrone (Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare)

11:50 AM → 12:10 PM The interest of STMicroelectronics in the inertial fusion initiatives

12:10 PM → 12:30 PM Enabling Technologies in the Inertial Fusion Initiatives

Speaker: Dr Guido Spoto (Infobiotech)

12:30 PM → 1:00 PM Visita alle zone della facility laser di potenza presso INFN-LNS

1:00 PM → 1:45 PM Lunch only for invited speakers

1:45 PM → 2:25 PM Discussione

2:25 PM → 6:25 PM Visita presso STMicroelectronics