Dean's message
A new focus on fusion engineering
October 2024
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I am proud to share that we have launched a new fusion institute at Â鶹´«Ã½ focused specifically on fusion engineering. It’s all about tackling the remaining engineering and computer science challenges that stand in the way of commercially attractive clean energy from nuclear fusion. Our and provide details, context and some great photos.
Right now, I’d like to take a step back and share a few thoughts on why we launched this institute with a focus on fusion engineering now.
Engineering has always been central to fusion research. The incredible theoretical and experimental advances, the simulation work, the materials science and so much more – none of it would be possible without breathtaking engineering and computer science advances being made every step of the way.
That said, the nation and the world are now on the cusp of a new phase in the fusion energy journey. This new phase requires an additional layer of strategy and activity. Engineering schools with leading fusion programs like ours have an obligation to step up and collaborate across all sectors on a prioritized set of engineering-focused challenges that build on the fusion advances that have already been made.
Together, we must now address the most important engineering bottlenecks holding back the practical use of fusion energy. At the same time, we must educate and inspire the graduate and undergraduate students who will go on to become the fusion engineering workforce of tomorrow.
This institute represents a concrete step in our efforts at our Jacobs School of Engineering and Â鶹´«Ã½ overall to step up to these engineering research and workforce development challenges.
We have absolutely no intention of trying to go it alone. In fact, we already have collaborations with many UC campuses, national laboratories, startups, long-established companies and a variety of local, national and global partners in terms of both research and workforce development. In order to move the needle on the most important fusion engineering challenges, we need to strengthen and deepen these collaborations and bring in new partners and supporters.
As part of the launch of this institute, . These faculty lines will expand our capacity to train graduate students who will go on to become the fusion engineers our country desperately needs.
We also need to find ways to educate and inform the general public, policymakers and other stakeholders about this new phase in the fusion energy journey.
In closing, I see this institute launch as a collective call to action. It highlights research and workforce development efforts that we must prioritize, right now, to ensure the US emerges as first to market in the global marketplace of fusion energy. Together we make bold possible.
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As always, I can be reached at DeanPisano@ucsd.edu
Sincerely,
Sincerely,
Al
Albert ("Al") P. Pisano
Dean, Â鶹´«Ã½ Jacobs School of Engineering
Special Adviser to the Chancellor for Campus Strategic Initiatives