Agenda

7:30 - 8:15 a.m.

Check-in and Networking Breakfast

8:30 - 8:55 a.m.

Welcome Session

8:55 - 10:25 a.m.

Materials Under Extreme Conditions Session 

• The realization of a fusion energy power plant will require accelerated development of next-generation materials for the chamber and components that can withstand the unique issues of irradiation by high energy neutrons, charged particles, debris, x-rays, and high heat-flux thermomechanics. There is a need to develop a modeling-informed, experimentally verified understanding of structural materials at the macro-and microscopic levels, including neutron damage. Lifetimes and disposal pathways of chamber materials, final optics, and consumables will also require investigation.

10:25 - 10:45 a.m.

Break

10:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

Tritium Breeding Session

• One of the major thrusts for the success of fusion power is the ability to self-sustain the fusion fuel cycle. This requires a fusion power plant to produce, recover, and store tritium while accounting for all quantities of this radioactive gas. The process will need to be executed at industrial scales which has never been attempted. Success will require a multi-disciplinary team to develop these processes and to operate such a facility. The research challenges to ensure a closed fuel cycle involves basic physics around the breeding process with relevant property data, development of efficient recovery and storage systems, assessment of safety requirements, and understanding the workforce needs. This session discussed both scientific needs, as well as system engineering capabilities for future power plants.

12:15 - 1:30 p.m.

Networking Lunch

1:30 - 2:30 p.m.

Fusion Policy/Regulations/Public Perception Session

• While significant strides still need to be made in the development of scientific and engineering solutions to the challenges of producing commercial fusion power, the political landscape of regulatory policy and public perception provides an additional constraining framework that will also need to be addressed. This panel discussion dives into what these constraints are, what forces might be in play to address them, and how specifically the University and its partners might act to augment or amplify efforts to address the regulatory framework (including both safety and security) and to address potential public misconceptions about the nature of fusion energy production. 

2:30 - 2:45 p.m.

Break

2:45 - 4:15 p.m.

Radiation Hardened Electronics for Fusion Diagnostics

• Sustained, neutron-rich, fusion plasmas pose numerous challenges for diagnostic design and survivability. This session identifies the requirements for fusion diagnostics with an eye towards identifying opportunities for collaboration between researchers at UC, industry, and the national laboratories. The session also explores crosscutting needs for radiation hardened electronics in related fields including space exploration, national security, accelerator operation, and aerospace engineering.

4:15 - 5:15 p.m.

Lightning Talks

• 5-6 min presentations

5:30 - 7:00 p.m.

Networking Reception and Poster Session