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Fusion Energy Week
May 6  –10, 2024

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Fusion Energy Week

Fusion energy powers the sun and stars. We are closer than ever to harnessing this type of clean energy here on earth. Dr. Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin discovered what our sun and stars are made of, which led to our understanding of fusion. In honor of Dr. Payne-Gaposchkin’s birthday on May 10th, Fusion Energy Week will be held annually in the second week of May.

Amazing things are happening right now in fusion energy science and technology. Fusion energy has never been closer to appearing on the electrical grid, which has the potential to completely transform the global energy market. In the collaborative world of modern science, we all have an opportunity to not only watch this amazing transformation happen, but to be a part of it!

Fusion Energy Week will connect the public with those currently working in fusion energy around the world at laboratories, universities and companies who support this pursuit of a clean, safe, and robust energy alternative. Join us for a series of events during the week of May 6–10th when we will come together to celebrate the science and technology that will make fusion the energy solution of tomorrow.

To learn more about fusion energy, visit usfusionenergy.org or attend one of the many fusion events listed below! If you would like to host your own Fusion Energy Week event, please contact us using the “Submit an Event” button. 

Cecilia Payne Illustration

Illustration by Thumỹ Phan 
for U.S. Fusion Outreach

Cecilia Payne

What are stars made of? How do stars make their energy? We know the answers to these questions thanks to Dr. Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin, who discovered that the stars, like our Sun, are mostly made of hydrogen and helium. This led to our understanding of fusion—the reaction that powers our sun and the stars. These elements are the “fuel” that powers fusion reactions inside the sun in a giant fusion engine. Together, we are working to build fusion engines here on Earth. Join the celebration and join the movement to bring the power of the stars to Earth.

Fusion Energy Week Events

Public Tour of Auburn University Plasma Lab

May 11, 2024 | 6–9pm
Auburn University

Fusion Innovation Factory (Virtual)

May 10, 2024 | 9–10am
US Fusion Outreach Team (USFOT)

Fusion Week K-12 Resources (Virtual)

May 6–10, 2024
Various Locations

Tour of the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL)

May 10, 2024 | 10am–12pm
Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL)

Science on Saturday: Lyman Spitzer’s Legacy of Innovation in the Quest for Fusion Energy

Columbia Plasma Physics Laboratory Tours and Demos

May 6–10, 2024
Columbia University

Plasma Lightning Talks (Virtual)

May 9, 2024 | 3:30–5:30pm
Columbia University

Plasma Demos from Auburn Groups and PhysicsQuest

May 11–12, 2024
Auburn University

DIII-D National Fusion Facility Tours (Virtual)

Sherwood Plasma Fusion Theory Conference

May 6–10, 2024
Sherwood Theory

Tours of UCLA’s Basic Plasma Science Facility (BaPSF)

May 6–10, 2024
University of California, Los Angeles

Tours of MIT’s Plasma Science and Fusion Center (PSFC)

May 6, 2024 | 11am–12pm
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Powering our Future: A Celebration of Our Transition from Lab to Society

May 3, 2024 | 2–6:30pm
University of Wisconsin, Madison

Tours of NearStar Fusion and Fusion Energy 101

May 6, 2024 | 3–4pm
NearStar Fusion

Young Women’s Conference in STEM

May 17, 2024 | 9am–2pm
Hosted by PPPL at San Diego State University

DIII-D National Fusion Facility In-Person Tour

May 10, 2024 | 2:30–4:30pm
General Atomics

Star in a Bottle: The Promises and Challenges of Nuclear Fusion

May 9, 2024 | 2–3pm
Williamsburg Regional Library

Navigating Career Paths for Women in Fusion and STEM

APS DPP Graduate School & Careers Day (Virtual)

Apr 27, 2024 | 12–6pm
American Physics Society

Brewing Questions About Fusion

May 6, 2024 | 4–7pm
Oak Ridge National Lab

Fusion Movie and Social Hour

May 9, 2024 | 5–8pm
American Museum of Science and Energy

Fusion 101 (Virtual)

May 6, 2024 | 3–4pm
Princeton Plasma Physics and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories

Tour of TAE Technologies’ National Lab-scale ‘Norman’ machine (Virtual)

PPPL Fusion Trivia for Fusion Energy Week

May 7, 2024 | 2:25–3:25pm
Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory

Earth Day Intro to Fusion

Apr 22, 2024 | 1–3pm
Central Connecticut State University

Generation Fusion Space Exploration

May 19, 2024 | 7–8pm
Energy for the Common Good

Fusion Energy Scavenger Hunt!

May 9, 2024 | 12–2pm
North Carolina State University

UCSD Plasma Physics Lab Tour

May 8, 2024 | 1–3pm
University of California, San Diego

Solis High School Events

May 1, 2024 | 9:30–10:30am
University of Wisconsin, Madison

Nuclear Energy Discovery Day

May 11, 2024 | 12–3pm
American Museum of Science and Energy

Fusion Energy Afternoon at Calamity's Coffee

Apr 26, 2024 | 3–5pm
Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Capitol Hill Briefing: Pioneering Partnerships to Accelerate Commercial Fusion Energy