For more than seven decades, Oak Ridge National Laboratory has been at the forefront of exploring fusion energy. From pioneering developments in fusion technology to advancing our understanding of burning plasmas, ORNL's multidisciplinary fusion program spans across the laboratory and impacts research around the world.
ORNL's high-impact work in plasma physics and fusion exhaust, next-generation materials, blanket and fuel cycle technology, and systems integration makes it a core part of the rapidly growing U.S. fusion ecosystem. The lab's fusion research is part of the Nuclear @ ORNL strategy, leveraging leadership in fission research and unique capabilities in neutron science, exascale computing, AI, and advanced manufacturing to advance fusion energy into reality.
ORNL is committed to supporting the U.S. fusion strategy of Build, Innovate and Grow, as outlined in the Department of Energy's Fusion Science & Technology Roadmap. The lab is building key infrastructure to address critical fusion materials and technology gaps, including the Material Plasma Exposure eXperiment (MPEX) and tritium breeding blanket test facilities, innovating on nearly every aspect of fusion science and engineering, and growing the domestic and international fusion ecosystem through strategic public-private partnerships, including INFUSE and Fusion Innovation Research Engine (FIRE) collaboratives.
ORNL is integrating core-to-wall science and engineering for fusion viability through fusion theory & modeling, tokamak physics, diagnostics & control, and power exhaust & particle control solutions.
ORNL is building the solutions for fusion's biggest challenges, including breeding blanket technology, component and system design, fusion materials integration, remote handling and processing, magnet technology, and plasma heating, fueling and pumping.
ORNL is developing robust materials compatible with coolants and fuel breeders, like molten salts and liquid metals, and capable of withstanding extreme heat, plasma exposure, and neutron irradiation.
ORNL's high-performance computing leadership and advanced modeling and simulation capabilities are contributing to groundbreaking fusion projects around the world.
ORNL has pioneered additive manufacturing techniques for producing complex parts for fusion environments, including defect-free tungsten components.
MPEX is a next-generation linear plasma device that will answer critical questions in plasma-material interactions and develop robust materials for plasma-facing components.
The Innovation Network for Fusion Energy (INFUSE) seeks to accelerate fusion energy development by connecting private fusion companies with the unique capabilities and resources of DOE laboratories and U.S. universities.
Find subject matter experts and points of contact for ORNL's fusion program.
ORNL is responsible for disseminating the information and intellectual property generated by US ITER on design, construction, fabrication, assembly, and licensing at scale to private companies, U.S. universities, and laboratories.
Managing the extreme heat and particle flux of a burning plasma on components like the divertor remains one of fusion's biggest practical engineering hurdles. ORNL is developing solutions to better control and diagnose plasma boundary conditions while advancing materials and components that can withstand the harsh environment at plasma-facing surfaces. Our integrated approach leverages our expertise in plasma physics, materials science and advanced manufacturing to design more robust, reliable components and diagnostics for high performance plasmas.
Making fusion energy a reality depends on integrating complex systems into reliable, maintainable whole devices. ORNL draws on the breadth of its fusion capabilities to support integrated design and evaluation, including radiation-hardened instrumentation and controls, remote systems for maintenance and operation, and design approaches that account for safety, security, and long-term maintainability from the outset. The lab is also establishing AI- and high-performance computing-enabled whole-facility modeling tools to help optimize and de-risk fusion device designs and guide targeted experiments on real-world test stands.
ORNL is applying its deep experience in nuclear materials to design, test, model, and refine novel materials suited for the intense conditions faced by both plasma-facing and structural components in a fusion device. By leveraging high-performance computing and AI, researchers are accelerated the discovery and qualification process, linking simulations with experimental data to quickly evaluate candidates and guide iteration. The lab is also advancing the S&T of joining and manufacturing science, ensuring that promising materials can be produced and deployed to meet the practical needs of fusion industry.
Fusion power systems will rely on effective fueling, heat management, and fuel breeding technology to operate at scale. ORNL is uniting interdisciplinary science capabilities to address the complex challenges associated with blanket and fuel cycle technologies, including tritium production and extraction, advanced cooling strategies, and reliable fueling and pumping systems. By integrating expertise in materials science, chemistry, and nuclear systems engineering, the lab is working to close key S&T gaps and mature the technology needed to support practical fusion energy.
Watch educational videos produced by ORNL on fusion topics.
Super Star! A Cosmic Comic for Junior Scientists is a series of educational comic books produced by ORNL to teach kids concepts about fusion science, from how a plasma is formed to the different components in a fusion device.
A historical timeline of ORNL's fusion research achievements, from the early 1950s to today.
