Who we are: Dr. Stan Milora, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, serves as Director of the Virtual Laboratory for Technology. The VLT and its enabling technology emphasis are a crucial element of the U .S. fusion energy sciences program. In partnership with the fusion science community, enabling technologies advance plasma science experiments and pursue innovative solutions for materials and technologies needed in the long term for fusion to achieve its potential in the 21st century. The VLT functions as a "virtual" laboratory which includes a wide variety of laboratories, universities and institutions.  Our mission:  The vision of an attractive fusion energy source can only be developed via an integrated partnership involving fusion science and technology. Many of the formidable challenges ahead for fusion energy are technology issues. Ingenuity is the catalyst for technological innovations in fusion to overcome these hurdles. The mission of the VLT is: To contribute to the national science and technology base by developing the enabling technology for existing and next-step experimental devices, by exploring and understanding key materials and technology feasibility issues for attractive fusion power sources, by conducting advanced design studies that integrate the wealth of our understanding to guide R&D priorities and by developing design solutions for next-step and future devices. The experimental results of the last decade indicate that fusion can be an energy source, and the challenge now is to optimize the science and technology to make i t practical and affordable. Data from successful experiments around the globe have expanded our understanding and brought us a step closer to achieving practical fusion energy.  Superior technology is the critical enabler of any fusion energy strategy. Much of the dramatic progress in fusion science in the last few decades can be attributed to the equally dramatic progress in enabling technologies. Enabling t echnologies are central to advancing fusion energy science and the delivery of an attractive, lower cost fusion product. What we do:The VLT provides the framework to emphasize enabling technologies that benefit both magnetic and inertial fusion energy sciences. Further progress can be achieved through innovation in    Plasma Technologies Chamber Technologies Materials Research Advanced Design Inertial Fusion Energy Technology   For a more detailed look at the mission of the Virtual Laboratory for Technology, have a look at our on-line brochure, which will give you an in-depth look at the progress in fusion energy science.