Fusion is the physical process, by which two light nuclei (typically isotopes of hydrogen) fuse and produce one heavier nucleus and at the same time release part of the energy trapped in the mass of the initial nuclei. This is the dominant energy-producing process in nature, as it provides the power radiated by all stars (for example, our sun). The artificial reproduction on earth of this process represents an important long-term option to the ever-increasing energy demand, in view also of the advantages it is associated with.
The most significant advantages of fusion are:
which is playing the role of the major numerical simulation machine for fusion related problems in EU.
The Association EURATOM-Hellenic Republic was formally instituted, when the Association Contract ERB 5005 CT 99 0100 between EURATOM and the Hellenic Republic was signed on 22 June 1999 and the Steering Committee and the Head of the Research Unit (Prof. J L. Vomvoridis) were appointed. In addition, an Administrative Committee has been established as the governing body for fusion activities in Greece and the responsibilities for administering the Contract of Association have been delegated to the Institute for Nuclear Technology and Radiation Protection of the National Centre for Scientific Research “Demokritos” (Director: Dr. I. A. Papazoglou). Since June 2009 Prof. K. Hizanidis has been appointed as the Head of the Research Unit. Before 1999, fusion activities were co-ordinated by the Consultative Committee for Fusion Activities in Greece (CCFA-G) and being funded by EURATOM via cost-sharing contracts.
The work programme of the Association includes activities in Physics and Emerging Technologies. In addition, the Association undertakes Technology Tasks. These activities are conducted in collaboration with other partners to the EURATOM Fusion Programme.
In particular, the present scientific and technical Physics Programme is performed in the following laboratories (with mention of Principal Investigators):
The Emerging Technologies and the Technology Programme are performed at:
In addition, a Trans-national Research Team, contributing to the Physics Programme, is at the:
Nicosia (S. Kassinos) Respective teams from the aforementioned laboratories are making use of the Super Computer Facility and JET and ASDEX-U data and diagnostics as well. A long time collaboration with CRPP-Lausanne, KIT-Karlsruhe, IPP-Garching, IPP-Julich and PSFC-MIT also exists along with the relatively recent one with researchers of respective Associations within EFDA at the University of Craiova-Romania and the University of Marseille-France. The research teams from NTUA and the University of Athens are also partially involved in consortia under F4E.
The Physics, Emerging Technologies and Technology work of the period 01 January to 31 December 2009 has been performed according to the work programme approved by the Steering Committee. It is presented, along with a brief outline of the corresponding background and objectives, in Sections 1-3 (Physics) and 4 (Emerging Technologies) of Chapter B. For several of these activities, the work has reached a level of maturity, for which more extensive self-contained articles could be prepared on the work completed in year 2009. These articles, 46 in all, are attached as Annexes(*) to this Report, with appropriate reference made in the main body of the text.
Additional activities of the Association are presented in Chapter C. They refer to the “Eighth School on Fusion Physics and Technology”, which took place in Volos (6 to 11 April 2009), to other fusion-related educational activities, to the expenditure, personnel, co-operations and mobility missions of the Association in year 2009, as well as to the publications that have appeared (or have been accepted) in year 2009.
Last Updated (Friday, 11 January 2013 11:44)