Masterclass 1: Principles and Challenges of Controlled Fusion
Speakers
Session Description
Discover how fusion energy, the world's most ambitious clean power frontier, is moving closer to reality. Fusion energy represents one of humanity’s most ambitious scientific and engineering frontiers, offering the promise of a virtually limitless and carbon-free source of power. In this Masterclass, Dr. Rajesh Maingi, Head of the Tokamak Experimental Science Department at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL), will offer a broad overview of how fusion research is evolving across the world and the breakthroughs shaping its future.
Drawing from his pioneering work on spherical tokamaks and liquid metal technologies, Dr. Maingi will explain how innovative materials and reactor designs are addressing the complex challenges of plasma confinement, heat management, and system sustainability. The session will connect global progress with the experimental advances at PPPL, providing a forward-looking perspective on what it will take to make fusion a viable and scalable clean energy source.
- Participants attending the series of Masterclasses will receive a Certificate of Participation
- More sessions are planned with experts from leading global institutes in plasma and fusion research
Key Takeaways
- How fusion works as a clean energy source
- The key scientific and engineering challenges to achieve a controlled fusion reaction
- Global progress in making fusion a practical reality
Who Should Attend
This Masterclass will benefit students, researchers, and faculty from diverse fields including physics, materials science, electrical and mechanical engineering, and energy systems. It will also interest professionals from renewable energy, advanced materials, and technology sectors who wish to understand how fusion research could shape future energy solutions. Policymakers, R&D leaders, and industry stakeholders engaged in science and technology strategy will find valuable insights on aligning academic innovation, industrial development, and policy direction toward India’s and the world’s fusion mission.