51st International Nathiagali Summer College on Physics and Contemporary Needs - 2026
6th – 18th July, 2026
INSC Activity - V: Advances in Plasma Science and Fusion Technology
(14th - 17th July, 2026)
Fusion energy seeks to replicate the Sun’s power on Earth, offering an abundant fuel supply, minimal environmental impact, and the promise of safe, clean, and sustainable energy for future generations. Recent experimental milestones—most notably the achievement of ignition and sustained burning plasmas — have provided definitive proof of the core scientific principles underlying fusion. These breakthroughs mark a pivotal step toward realizing practical fusion power.
The global path forward is now clearly dual track: large-scale international efforts such as ITER (International thermonuclear Experimental Reactor) aim to demonstrate the feasibility of fusion through extensive collaboration and advanced engineering, while compact and innovative private ventures are simultaneously pushing the boundaries through rapid experimentation and novel designs. Together, these parallel efforts are collectively targeting the development of a demonstration fusion plant by the 2040s.
The extreme demands placed on fusion reactors have also spurred rapid advancements in plasma science and plasma-based technologies. These innovations not only accelerate progress in fusion research but also create valuable spin-off applications across a wide range of industries and space applications. Plasma torch technology enables high-temperature cutting, welding, and waste processing. Plasma nitriding enhances the surface hardness and wear resistance of metals by introducing nitrogen into the material, making it indispensable for manufacturing and engineering. Plasma-based surge protectors play a crucial role in safeguarding sensitive electronics by absorbing and dissipating excess electrical energy. In atmospheric applications, plasma coronal discharge seeding has emerged as a cutting-edge technology for artificial rain generation. Plasma propulsion technology uses plasma (ionized gas) to create thrust by accelerating charged particles with electric or magnetic field in space missions. It has higher efficiency and specific impulse than traditional chemical rockets, enabling longer and deep space missions for exploration and commercialization of space. Plasma thrusters are used for space craft station keeping, re-phasing and orbit raising/topping and in small satellites for orbital corrections.
These diverse applications highlight the versatility and transformative potential of plasma science. From heavy industry to electronics to environmental engineering, plasma technologies continue to provide novel and powerful solutions to modern challenges. In light of these significant developments and their growing impact, a dedicated activity on “Advances in Plasma Science and Fusion Technology” is proposed this year to showcase recent progress, explore emerging innovations and discuss the future trajectory of this rapidly evolving field.
Suggested Topics
- Recent Breakthroughs in Fusion Technology
- Recent Advances in Plasma Science
- Plasma Propulsion Technology
- Industrial Spin-Offs of Plasma Technologies
- Plasma torch technology
- Plasma nitriding
- Plasma-based surge protectors
- Plasma coronal discharge seeding
Dr. Paolo Gessini
Brazilian Space Agency Associate Professor
Associate Professor, Space Systems Laboratory
Universidade de Brasilia, Brazil
Talk Title:
- Lecture 1: The Pulsed Plasma Thruster: a simple, robust and scalable electric propulsion device, ideal for small-satellite applications.
- Lecture 2: Hall-Effect Thrusters for Small-Satellite Applications
Dr. Rodrigo Miranda
Professor
University of Brasilia, UnB, Brasilia
Talk Title:
- Lecture 1: Introduction to plasma propulsion
- Lecture 2: Plasma propulsion: the gridded ion thruster and The Hall thruster
- Lecture 3: Plasma propulsion for miniaturized satellites, and the future of plasma propulsion
Dr. Chen Yihang
Southwestern Institute of Physics, P.R. China
Talk Title:
- Lecture 1: Operational Scenarios and Typical Control Strategies in Tokamak Devices
- Lecture 2: Real-time Control in Magnetic Confinement Fusion: Implementations and Challenges
- Lecture 3: Safety Protection Strategies and Technologies for Tokamak Operation
- Lecture 4: Prospect of Artificial Intelligence in Tokamak Operation and Control
Dr. Shi Zhongbing
Southwestern Institute of Physics, P.R. China
Talk Title: (Online)
- Lecture 1: Plasma diagnostics on HL-3
- Lecture 2: Microwave Reflectometer
- Lecture 3: DBS & CPS
- Lecture 4: ECE and ECE imaging
Dr. Mikhail Polkanov
Project Manager of Thermal technologies FSUE "RADON"
Enterprise of the State Corporation "Rosatom", Russian Federation
Talk Title:
- Lecture 1: Technology of Plasma treatment of radioactive waste in a shaft furnace
- Lecture 2: Plasma equipment for waste thermal treatment facilities
- Lecture 3: Plasma treatment of radioactive, medical and municipal waste in the world.
Dr. Ella Barinova
Head Department of Decommissioning Technology “Rosatom", Russian Federation
Talk Title:
Dr. Wei Zheng
Associate Professor
Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
Talk Title:
- Lecture 1: Machine Learning Tokamak Disruption Prediction
- Lecture 2: Rain enhancement with charged particles: ions generator design and field trial
- Lecture 3: Rain enhancement with charged particles: basic principles and processes
Dr. Murat Celik
Professor of Mechanical Engineering
Bogazici University, Türkiye
Talk Title:
- Lecture: Types of Ion Engines Based on Various Ionization Mechanisms, and Methods to Increase the Space Charge Limited Current Extraction in Ion Engines
P. F. Chen
School of Astronomy and Space Science, Nanjing University, China
Talk Title: (Online)
- Lecture: Solar coronal waves: A debate for more than two decades
Li Yangfang
Applied Technology Institute, Southwestern Institute of Physics, China
Talk Title: (Online)
- Lecture: Industrial Application of Fusion Technology at SWIP