Fusion Energy Sciences | Department of Energy
Source: https://www.energy.gov/science/fes/fusion-energy-sciences
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:24
Fusion Energy Sciences | Department of Energy
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Fusion Energy Sciences
The Fusion Energy Sciences (FES) program has two goals: (1) expand the understanding of matter at very high temperatures and densities, and (2) build the knowledge needed to develop a fusion energy source. Providing energy from fusion is one of the
14 Grand Challenges for Engineering in the 21st Century
and FES is the largest federal government supporter of research that is addressing the remaining obstacles to overcoming this challenge.
Plasmas are very hot gases, so hot that electrons have been freed from atomic nuclei, forming a collection of ions and electrons that can be controlled by electric and magnetic fields. The known universe consists of over 99% plasma, which form stars such as the sun. Scientist study plasmas in space, like star explosions, to better understand plasma physics. Scientist also study plasmas that occur on Earth, like lightning. There are also plasmas that are manufactured and are seen everywhere, like light bulbs and a store’s neon sign. There are plasmas that have practical applications, such as advanced medical and sanitation procedures. However, there are challenges in creating and sustaining plasmas on Earth.
The sun produces light and energy that everyone can see and feel. It does this by a process called fusion. Fusion occurs in a plasma where two nuclei are combined to form a new atom. This occurs many times in the sun generating an enormous amount of energy. Scientist now want to recreate the process here on Earth and collect the energy to make electricity. The promise and potential benefits to humankind from this carbon-free energy source are enormous. Achieving this goal would have far-reaching and significant effects on human civilization and its impact on the planet.
Together with its partner science agencies, FES supports a devoted workforce that has made impressive progress since the first fusion experiments over sixty years ago. Progress is made each day by scientists and engineers at DOE national laboratories, universities, and in private industry. With public financial support for this fundamental research, fusion scientists are undertaking fundamental tests of fusion energy’s viability using some of the most ambitious energy projects, the most powerful supercomputers, and the fastest networks in the world today.
Learn more about the Fusion Energy Sciences Program.
Video
Video Url
In May 2018, the DIII-D National Fusion Facility in San Diego began an 11-month engineering upgrade to enable a new generation of experiments.
Video courtesy of the Department of Energy
FES Program Announcements
U.S. Department of Energy Announces Selectees for $107 Million Fusion Innovation Research Engine Collaboratives, and Progress in Milestone Program Inspired by NASA
Learn More
about U.S. Department of Energy Announces Selectees for $107 Million Fusion Innovation Research Engine Collaboratives, and Progress in Milestone Program Inspired by NASA
Building Bridges: A Vision for the Office of Fusion Energy Sciences
Learn More
about Building Bridges: A Vision for the Office of Fusion Energy Sciences
DOE Announces New Decadal Fusion Energy Strategy
Learn More
about DOE Announces New Decadal Fusion Energy Strategy
DOE’s Office of Science Releases Vision Outlining the Path to Advancing Fusion Energy Science and Technology
Learn More
about DOE’s Office of Science Releases Vision Outlining the Path to Advancing Fusion Energy Science and Technology
FES Science Highlights
Protecting Against Large Damaging Energy Bursts in Fusion Energy Devices
Scientists found a potential way to suppress large damaging edge-localized modes, providing an approach to protect future devices.
Learn More
about Protecting Against Large Damaging Energy Bursts in Fusion Energy Devices
February 12, 2026
Uncertainty Toolbox: A Software Toolbox for Quantifying Uncertainty and More
The Uncertainty Toolbox, a popular open-source library for uncertainty quantification and calibration, is a valuable tool for fusion and other research.
Learn More
about Uncertainty Toolbox: A Software Toolbox for Quantifying Uncertainty and More
January 13, 2026
Inverted Plasma Shape Shows Promise for Future Fusion Power Plant Design
Negative triangularity exhibits high core fusion performance and good power handling, pointing to a compelling approach for future fusion pilot plants.
Learn More
about Inverted Plasma Shape Shows Promise for Future Fusion Power Plant Design
August 21, 2025
Improving Predictions for Fusion Device Transport
Researchers validate a new workflow for plasma transport models, aiding future fusion device design.
Learn More
about Improving Predictions for Fusion Device Transport
August 19, 2025
“Louvers” on the SPARC Fusion Device Should Exhaust Gases as Hot as a Star
Public researchers partner with a private company to improve simulations key to controlling plasma heat in a fusion energy power plant.
Learn More
about “Louvers” on the SPARC Fusion Device Should Exhaust Gases as Hot as a Star
January 17, 2025
AI Tackles Disruptive Tearing Instability in Fusion Plasma
Researchers trained a deep reinforcement learning algorithm to adjust magnetic confinement fields in real time to maintain plasma stability.
Learn More
about AI Tackles Disruptive Tearing Instability in Fusion Plasma
January 3, 2025
Springing Simulations Forward with Quantum Computing
A new quantum algorithm speeds up simulations of coupled oscillators dynamics.
Learn More
about Springing Simulations Forward with Quantum Computing
December 18, 2024
Controller with Integrated Machine Learning Tweaks Fusion Plasmas in Real Time
Integrating machine learning with real-time adaptive control produces high-performance plasmas without edge instabilities, a key for future fusion reactors.
Learn More
about Controller with Integrated Machine Learning Tweaks Fusion Plasmas in Real Time
December 16, 2024
For Heating Plasma in Fusion Devices, Researchers Unravel How Electrons Respond to Neutral Beam Injection
Study finds that neutral beam performance can be experimentally deduced from electron temperature evolution during neutral beam injection.
Learn More
about For Heating Plasma in Fusion Devices, Researchers Unravel How Electrons Respond to Neutral Beam Injection
October 23, 2024
In a Fusion Device Plasma, a Steep Ion Temperature Gradient Slows the Growth of Magnetic Islands
The first measurement of ion temperature in magnetic islands identified a steep gradient, providing insights for improving plasma confinement in tokamaks.
Learn More
about In a Fusion Device Plasma, a Steep Ion Temperature Gradient Slows the Growth of Magnetic Islands
October 15, 2024
View More
FES Subprograms
Burning Plasma Science: Foundations
Learn More
about Burning Plasma Science: Foundations
Burning Plasma Science: Long Pulse and High Power
Learn More
about Burning Plasma Science: Long Pulse and High Power
General Plasma Science
Learn More
about General Plasma Science
High Energy Density Laboratory Plasmas
Learn More
about High Energy Density Laboratory Plasmas
FES Research Resources
FES Internal Site
Learn More
about FES Internal Site
FES Organization Chart
Learn More
about FES Organization Chart
Contact FES
Learn More
about Contact FES
Funding Opportunities
Learn More
about Funding Opportunities
Workshop Reports
Learn More
about Workshop Reports
Contact Information
Fusion Energy Sciences
U.S. Department of Energy
Germantown Building
1000 Independence Avenue., SW
Washington, DC 20585
P: (301) 903 - 4941
F: (301) 903 - 8584
E:
sc.fes@science.doe.gov
Skip to main content
Official websites use .gov
A
.gov
website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A
lock
(
) or
https://
means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
Fusion Energy Sciences
The Fusion Energy Sciences (FES) program has two goals: (1) expand the understanding of matter at very high temperatures and densities, and (2) build the knowledge needed to develop a fusion energy source. Providing energy from fusion is one of the
14 Grand Challenges for Engineering in the 21st Century
and FES is the largest federal government supporter of research that is addressing the remaining obstacles to overcoming this challenge.
Plasmas are very hot gases, so hot that electrons have been freed from atomic nuclei, forming a collection of ions and electrons that can be controlled by electric and magnetic fields. The known universe consists of over 99% plasma, which form stars such as the sun. Scientist study plasmas in space, like star explosions, to better understand plasma physics. Scientist also study plasmas that occur on Earth, like lightning. There are also plasmas that are manufactured and are seen everywhere, like light bulbs and a store’s neon sign. There are plasmas that have practical applications, such as advanced medical and sanitation procedures. However, there are challenges in creating and sustaining plasmas on Earth.
The sun produces light and energy that everyone can see and feel. It does this by a process called fusion. Fusion occurs in a plasma where two nuclei are combined to form a new atom. This occurs many times in the sun generating an enormous amount of energy. Scientist now want to recreate the process here on Earth and collect the energy to make electricity. The promise and potential benefits to humankind from this carbon-free energy source are enormous. Achieving this goal would have far-reaching and significant effects on human civilization and its impact on the planet.
Together with its partner science agencies, FES supports a devoted workforce that has made impressive progress since the first fusion experiments over sixty years ago. Progress is made each day by scientists and engineers at DOE national laboratories, universities, and in private industry. With public financial support for this fundamental research, fusion scientists are undertaking fundamental tests of fusion energy’s viability using some of the most ambitious energy projects, the most powerful supercomputers, and the fastest networks in the world today.
Learn more about the Fusion Energy Sciences Program.
Video
Video Url
In May 2018, the DIII-D National Fusion Facility in San Diego began an 11-month engineering upgrade to enable a new generation of experiments.
Video courtesy of the Department of Energy
FES Program Announcements
U.S. Department of Energy Announces Selectees for $107 Million Fusion Innovation Research Engine Collaboratives, and Progress in Milestone Program Inspired by NASA
Learn More
about U.S. Department of Energy Announces Selectees for $107 Million Fusion Innovation Research Engine Collaboratives, and Progress in Milestone Program Inspired by NASA
Building Bridges: A Vision for the Office of Fusion Energy Sciences
Learn More
about Building Bridges: A Vision for the Office of Fusion Energy Sciences
DOE Announces New Decadal Fusion Energy Strategy
Learn More
about DOE Announces New Decadal Fusion Energy Strategy
DOE’s Office of Science Releases Vision Outlining the Path to Advancing Fusion Energy Science and Technology
Learn More
about DOE’s Office of Science Releases Vision Outlining the Path to Advancing Fusion Energy Science and Technology
FES Science Highlights
Protecting Against Large Damaging Energy Bursts in Fusion Energy Devices
Scientists found a potential way to suppress large damaging edge-localized modes, providing an approach to protect future devices.
Learn More
about Protecting Against Large Damaging Energy Bursts in Fusion Energy Devices
February 12, 2026
Uncertainty Toolbox: A Software Toolbox for Quantifying Uncertainty and More
The Uncertainty Toolbox, a popular open-source library for uncertainty quantification and calibration, is a valuable tool for fusion and other research.
Learn More
about Uncertainty Toolbox: A Software Toolbox for Quantifying Uncertainty and More
January 13, 2026
Inverted Plasma Shape Shows Promise for Future Fusion Power Plant Design
Negative triangularity exhibits high core fusion performance and good power handling, pointing to a compelling approach for future fusion pilot plants.
Learn More
about Inverted Plasma Shape Shows Promise for Future Fusion Power Plant Design
August 21, 2025
Improving Predictions for Fusion Device Transport
Researchers validate a new workflow for plasma transport models, aiding future fusion device design.
Learn More
about Improving Predictions for Fusion Device Transport
August 19, 2025
“Louvers” on the SPARC Fusion Device Should Exhaust Gases as Hot as a Star
Public researchers partner with a private company to improve simulations key to controlling plasma heat in a fusion energy power plant.
Learn More
about “Louvers” on the SPARC Fusion Device Should Exhaust Gases as Hot as a Star
January 17, 2025
AI Tackles Disruptive Tearing Instability in Fusion Plasma
Researchers trained a deep reinforcement learning algorithm to adjust magnetic confinement fields in real time to maintain plasma stability.
Learn More
about AI Tackles Disruptive Tearing Instability in Fusion Plasma
January 3, 2025
Springing Simulations Forward with Quantum Computing
A new quantum algorithm speeds up simulations of coupled oscillators dynamics.
Learn More
about Springing Simulations Forward with Quantum Computing
December 18, 2024
Controller with Integrated Machine Learning Tweaks Fusion Plasmas in Real Time
Integrating machine learning with real-time adaptive control produces high-performance plasmas without edge instabilities, a key for future fusion reactors.
Learn More
about Controller with Integrated Machine Learning Tweaks Fusion Plasmas in Real Time
December 16, 2024
For Heating Plasma in Fusion Devices, Researchers Unravel How Electrons Respond to Neutral Beam Injection
Study finds that neutral beam performance can be experimentally deduced from electron temperature evolution during neutral beam injection.
Learn More
about For Heating Plasma in Fusion Devices, Researchers Unravel How Electrons Respond to Neutral Beam Injection
October 23, 2024
In a Fusion Device Plasma, a Steep Ion Temperature Gradient Slows the Growth of Magnetic Islands
The first measurement of ion temperature in magnetic islands identified a steep gradient, providing insights for improving plasma confinement in tokamaks.
Learn More
about In a Fusion Device Plasma, a Steep Ion Temperature Gradient Slows the Growth of Magnetic Islands
October 15, 2024
View More
FES Subprograms
Burning Plasma Science: Foundations
Learn More
about Burning Plasma Science: Foundations
Burning Plasma Science: Long Pulse and High Power
Learn More
about Burning Plasma Science: Long Pulse and High Power
General Plasma Science
Learn More
about General Plasma Science
High Energy Density Laboratory Plasmas
Learn More
about High Energy Density Laboratory Plasmas
FES Research Resources
FES Internal Site
Learn More
about FES Internal Site
FES Organization Chart
Learn More
about FES Organization Chart
Contact FES
Learn More
about Contact FES
Funding Opportunities
Learn More
about Funding Opportunities
Workshop Reports
Learn More
about Workshop Reports
Contact Information
Fusion Energy Sciences
U.S. Department of Energy
Germantown Building
1000 Independence Avenue., SW
Washington, DC 20585
P: (301) 903 - 4941
F: (301) 903 - 8584
E:
sc.fes@science.doe.gov