Institute of Fusion Energy and Nuclear Waste Management (IFN)
The Institute of Fusion Energy and Nuclear Waste Management (IFN) contributes to the energy transition by conducting research into the physical and technological foundations for a fusion power plant with magnetic confinement as well as research into the safe disposal of nuclear waste.
As part of a globally networked joint effort to create power plants based on nuclear fusion, the Plasma Physics (IFN-1) subinstitute is helping to develop a safe, environmentally friendly, and long-term energy supply. Its work focuses on the extraction of energy from the vacuum vessels of fusion reactors. Extremely high thermal loads occur here that future power plants will have to withstand in continuous load operation if they are to be economically viable. In addition, loads resulting from intensive neutron irradiation present new challenges. Suitable materials are therefore being investigated and their interaction with hot fusion matter is being analysed – including in collaboration with leading fusion experiments around the world. The research activities form an integral part of the Helmholtz research programme FUSION in collaboration with the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) and the Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics (MPG IPP).
Research conducted by the Nuclear Waste Management (IFN-2) subinstitute addresses the scientific basis for the safe disposal of radioactive waste produced from the use of nuclear energy. It combines experiments and simulations on the behaviour of radioactive substances and substances that have to be disposed of on different length and time scales. The research activities form an integral part of the Helmholtz research programme NUSAFE in collaboration with the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) and the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT). Forschungszentrum Jülich, represented by IFN-2, is a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) Network of Analytical Laboratories (NWAL) and is also responsible for the scientific coordination of the German Safeguards Support Programme for the IAEA.
Both subinstitutes focus on aspects of materials science and use special infrastructures that enable the safe handling of radioactive materials.
Managing Director
- Institute of Fusion Energy and Nuclear Waste Management (IFN)
- Nuclear Waste Management (IFN-2)
Room R 290
Website of the Institute
Institute of Fusion Energy and Nuclear Waste Management (IFN)
