Fusion is the process that powers the sun and stars. It has the potential to deliver effectively limitless, clean, base-load power for future generations.

The Plasma Research Laboratory, Research School of Physics and Engineering, at ANU is home to the H-1 Australian Plasma Fusion Research Facility and employs more than 20 staff and graduate students working in the area of fusion science.

The H-1 facility is a medium-sized, fusion-relevant, high-temperature plasma physics apparatus,with $20 million establishment budget, recent upgrade funds of $7M under the Super Science scheme (from 2011) and 1 million per annum turnover.

The laboratory research portfolio includes the study of magnetic plasma confinement configurations, advanced diagnostics development, plasma-surface interactions and the theory and modeling of waves and burning plasmas.

The commencement of the $10 billion international ITER tokamak project in France represents a major step towards the practical realisation of fusion. Through the provision of locally developed technologies and Australian knowhow, researchers at ANU are strongly linked into the international fusion program ahead of ITER.

The Institute supports these activities, and the domestic program, to ensure that Australia remains well positioned in the international quest to harness the power of the stars.