Fusion energy is too often viewed as an abstract scientific puzzle waiting to be solved in the distant future. But, going beyond the technical challenges, what else will it take to make fusion a reality?
It’s a question Canada’s national nuclear lab posed to Ontario Tech University graduate students earlier this winter as part of a collaborative, two-week “Ideathon” that encouraged participants to consider the role policy, public trust, and commercialization play in fusion readiness.
“Fusion isn’t just a technical problem to be solved by one group or organization — it’s a journey we need to take on together, for the good of society,” says Adrián Vega, who kicked off the challenge on Feb. 6 with a keynote to the students. As the head of Canadian Nuclear Laboratories’ (CNL) directorate that conducts fusion research, Vega emphasized to the group that success depends just as much on regulation, social acceptance, and market pathways as it does on the physics and technology development. His remarks would set the tone for the rest of the challenge.
Over two weeks, 21 students worked in interdisciplinary teams to tackle one of three pillars of choice: policy and regulation, social licence, or commercialization and infrastructure. Along the way, they met with and learned directly from industry experts through a series of presentations, workshops, office hours, and pitch practices.
Eric McGoey, CNL’s Vice President of Corporate Affairs, unpacked the realities of public engagement and earning trust. Spencer Pitcher of Stellarex explored how fusion could move from lab to market. And CNL scientist Kristin Skrecky walked students through the complexities of government readiness and regulatory environments.
The Ideathon concluded with the top five teams presenting their work to CNL and Ontario Tech representatives for judging. With their presentations reflecting their deep understanding of the real world barriers fusion faces in Canada today, the three winning teams received $1,000 prizes and an opportunity to visit CNL’s Chalk River Laboratories this June.
The top three teams who participated in the fusion energy-focused challenge won $1,000 and an opportunity to visit Chalk River Laboratories this summer. (Feature photo) CNL’s Kiersten Smith and Gina Strati, Ontario Tech students Minahil Manzoor, Quinn Eng, Anamika Das Puja, Ann Drakes, and Viridiana Borjas Padilla, and professor Dr. Hossam Gaber; (left) Students Caiwen Yang, Jierong Zhang, and Mustafa Ozbek won the Most Actionable Implementation Pathway Award, (right) while Michael Mbaya, Ryman Yau, Abishake Sutharsan, and Pratik Bahl won the Greatest Potential for Society Impact Award.
Ontario Tech Cybersecurity PhD student Mustafa Ozbek, who was part of the team that won the Most Actionable Implementation Pathway Award, says participating in the CNL Ideathon was an incredibly rewarding experience. Teammate and Information Technology Security master’s student Jierong Zhang says she walked away from the Ideathon inspired, informed, and interested in clean energy, the nuclear field, and public engagement.
“This was a great opportunity to collaborate with talented teammates from different backgrounds, think creatively under time pressure, and develop a solution with real-world implementation potential,” says Ozbek.
Nuclear Engineering master’s student Minahil Manzoor, who was part of the team that won the Excellence in Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration Award, says the event was a great opportunity to learn more, get creative, and connect with others passionate about the future of energy.
“It was incredibly rewarding to be part of and it showed how powerful collaboration can be when tackling complex challenges like fusion,” she says.
This was the second fusion energy-focused challenge CNL and Ontario Tech co-hosted for the university’s graduate students. This summer will mark the third year that a group of graduate students visit CNL’s Chalk River site for an immersive, hands-on learning experience.
(Ontario Tech graduate students touring Chalk River Laboratories unique research facilities last summer)
“We are so privileged to collaborate with this next generation of innovators,” says Gina Strati, who leads CNL’s partnerships with academia. “As Canada’s national nuclear laboratory, it’s important that we shine a light on the role they can play in building Canada’s clean energy future.”
