Advancing Fusion Energy with Artificial Intelligence: MIT’s Groundbreaking Project

MIT’s Plasma Science and Fusion Center (PSFC) is embarking on a mission to expedite the development of fusion energy, offering a promising solution to the escalating challenges posed by climate change. While scientists have been probing fusion reactions since the 1930s, the path to harnessing fusion power remains riddled with unanswered questions. Time is of the essence, and as part of the concerted effort to realize fusion energy’s potential and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, the U.S. Department of Energy (DoE) has allocated fresh funding to a collaborative project led by researchers at MIT’s PSFC and four partner institutions.

Empowering Research through Data and AI

Cristina Rea, a distinguished research scientist and group leader at the PSFC, assumes the pivotal role of primary investigator in this newly funded three-year endeavor. The project’s primary aim is to integrate fusion data into a system compatible with AI-powered tools. Collaborating with scientists from William & Mary, the University of Wisconsin at Madison, Auburn University, and the nonprofit HDF Group, the PSFC endeavors to construct a comprehensive fusion data platform. This platform promises to provide unprecedented access to fusion-related information, with a special emphasis on making it accessible to underrepresented students. The project also strives to promote diversity in both fusion research and data science, both in academia and the workforce, through outreach programs led by the group’s co-investigators—four out of five of whom are women.

Harnessing the DoE’s Support

The DoE’s award, a part of a $29 million funding package encompassing seven projects across 19 institutions, will support the group’s efforts to disseminate data generated by fusion devices, including the PSFC’s Alcator C-Mod, a donut-shaped “tokamak” employing powerful magnets to control and confine fusion reactions. Remarkably, Alcator C-Mod, which operated from 1991 to 2016, continues to yield valuable data, thanks to the PSFC’s unwavering commitment to the free exchange of knowledge.

Addressing Data Accessibility Challenges

Currently, nearly 50 public experimental magnetic confinement-type fusion devices exist. However, accessing historical and current data from these devices can be a formidable challenge. Some fusion databases necessitate user agreements, and data organization varies widely. Additionally, employing machine learning, a subset of AI tools, for data analysis and scientific discovery is often hindered by the time-consuming process of reorganizing data. The consequence is a shortage of scientists dedicated to fusion research, increased barriers to discovery, and a bottleneck in utilizing AI to expedite progress.

The project’s proposed data platform tackles these technical obstacles by adhering to the FAIR principles—Findable, Interoperable, Accessible, Reusable—and aligns with UNESCO’s Open Science (OS) recommendations for enhancing the transparency and inclusivity of scientific research. All deliverables from the researchers will comply with FAIR and OS principles, as stipulated by the DoE.

Promoting Diversity and Inclusivity in Fusion Research

In addition to broadening access to fusion data, the researchers plan to address barriers facing women and disadvantaged groups by offering a subsidized summer school. This program will focus on the intersection of fusion and machine learning and will be hosted at William & Mary for the next three years.

Cristina Rea underscores the significance of their research, stating, “This project responds to the fusion community’s needs and sets the stage for success. Advancements in fusion science thrive through interdisciplinary collaboration and the cross-pollination of ideas, making accessibility absolutely indispensable. Diverse communities bring forth diverse ideas, leading to faster problem-solving.”

This collaboration aligns with the critical research areas highlighted in the International Atomic Energy Agency’s “AI for Fusion” Coordinated Research Project (CRP). Rea, selected as the technical coordinator for the IAEA’s CRP, emphasizes community engagement and knowledge access as the keys to expediting fusion research and development. In a letter of support, the IAEA expressed that the work of the researchers would benefit not only their CRP but also the broader international fusion community.

Dennis Whyte, PSFC Director and Hitachi America Professor of Engineering, expresses his enthusiasm, stating, “I am thrilled to see PSFC and our collaborators at the forefront of applying new AI tools while simultaneously enabling the extraction of critical data from our experiments.”

Cristina Rea, the primary investigator, concludes, “Leading such a crucial project is immensely meaningful, and it carries the responsibility of showcasing women as leaders in STEM. Our team is exceptionally motivated to enhance our fusion ecosystem and contribute to the realization of fusion energy.”

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Fusion Energy Advancements

More about Fusion Energy Advancements

• MIT Plasma Science and Fusion Center
• U.S. Department of Energy
• FAIR Principles
• UNESCO Open Science Recommendations