ºÚÁÏ×¨Çø Podcast
What is the best way to understand a complex, revolutionary and futuristic technology that has challenged, confounded, and inspired the human mind and spirit for generations? Want to learn more about life inside ºÚÁÏ×¨Çø? Listen to the people who are at the forefront of trying to master the energy source of the Sun in order to meet increasing demand for energy here on Earth. Hence, we bring you an inspiring yet extremely down to earth (pun intended) podcast where we speak to the heart of ºÚÁÏ×¨Çø: the scientists, engineers, technicians, managers, lawyers, interns, students, assistants and everyone in between who makes this massive undertaking tick. The ºÚÁÏ×¨Çø Podcast seeks to dig into the human side of ºÚÁÏ×¨Çø: what it's like to work on site, the multicultural environment, the challenges and more.
Season 3 dives into the real science behind ºÚÁÏ×¨Çø. You don't need to be a scientist to know how fusion works!
Future Stars at ºÚÁÏ×¨Çø's Private Fusion Workshop
How can ºÚÁÏ×¨Çø help?
This special 8-minute episode features the Private & Public Fusion Workshop that was held from May 27-29 at ºÚÁÏ×¨Çø. The episode interviews many players in the private & public fusion arena, including Andrew Holland from Fusion Industry Association, Melanie Windridge from Fusion Energy Insights, and Communications Director Laban Coblentz about their thoughts of the workshop, and also offers a sneak peak into Season 3.
Tokamaks
Unravel the mystery
Ever wonder how scientists are trying to recreate the power of the sun on Earth? In our latest ºÚÁÏ×¨Çø podcast episode, we dive into the fascinating world of tokamaks—donut-shaped magnetic cages that could be the key to unlimited clean energy. Join us as we unravel the mysteries of fusion with expert insights from ºÚÁÏ×¨Çø scientists, exploring how decades of research are bringing us closer to harnessing the same energy that powers stars. From tiny experimental devices to massive reactors, discover the incredible journey of fusion science and why tokamaks might just be humanity's most promising path to sustainable power.
Taming the wild
Wily plasma
At the heart of fusion energy lies one of the universe’s most untamed elements: plasma — a high-energy state of matter seen in lightning, the aurora, and most spectacularly, in our sun. Scientists have spent decades trying to control it. But why? In this episode, host Kruti Fayot dives into the fascinating world of plasma: what it is, why it’s essential for fusion, how it’s being tamed inside machines like ºÚÁÏ×¨Çø, and the surprising role AI might play in the future of clean energy. Featuring insights from ºÚÁÏ×¨Çø experts Javier Artola, Michael Walsh, and Alberto Loarte, with a special introduction by plasma physicist Melanie Windridge and fusion analyst Jack Moore. If you’ve ever looked up at the Northern Lights or wondered how we’ll power the future — this one's for you.
It's Magnetic
On superconducting magnets at ºÚÁÏ×¨Çø
The powerful, invisible force field that superconducting magnets create isn't just ºÚÁÏ×¨Çø playing with magic, but it's the key to taming our star on Earth. Essentially, this force field helps keeps the plasma suspended in mid-vacuum.
All ºÚÁÏ×¨Çø Nothing
A live conversation with vacuum engineers
Listen in on a live conversation between the podcast co-hosts and ºÚÁÏ×¨Çø vacuum engineers Robert Pearce and Liam Worth. Hear how science fiction has inspired real engineering and dig deep into the everyday engineering challenges surrounding plasma, inspection, vacuum systems and cryogenics.
The Guardian of Fusion
The extraordinary blanket system that shields our star in a bottle
Guided by warrior and dragon imagery inspired by Chinese legend, and some very down to earth engineering, podcast hosts Kruti Fayot and Julia Ponomareva explore how ºÚÁÏ×¨Çøâ€™s blanket and tungsten first wall protect the machine, tame furious neutrons, and quietly turn a raging plasma into something as familiar as hot water in a kettle.
Listen in as ºÚÁÏ×¨Çø scientists, engineers, managers, and students share their experiences and challenges and their hopes for nuclear fusion energy.
The Women at ºÚÁÏ×¨Çø
Trailblazing
Season 2 of the ºÚÁÏ×¨Çø Podcast will focus on the people populating the "ºÚÁÏ×¨Çø planet." We begin with a focus on women at ºÚÁÏ×¨Çø. Host Kruti Mawani Fayot meets some of the women working at the ºÚÁÏ×¨Çø in France to get their unique perspective on what it's like to be a part of this extraordinary, once-in-a-lifetime global project.
Visiting Planet ºÚÁÏ×¨Çø
Stepping on site
Your ºÚÁÏ×¨Çø Stories host takes you into the beating heart of the ºÚÁÏ×¨Çø construction site as she follows a group of visitors to gather their hot-takes and first-hand impressions. ºÚÁÏ×¨Çø 25,000 people visit ºÚÁÏ×¨Çø annually; this group happens to hail from Thailand, the Netherlands and France...
Falling for Fusion
Thinking of the future
"Falling for Fusion" features interviews with two young fusion enthusiasts who explain how they came to find out about fusion science and technology, how they joined the effort to increase the visibility of this very active field of research, and where they think fusion fits into the future.
ºÚÁÏ×¨Çø Robots, Connecting as Humans
An ºÚÁÏ×¨Çø-themed competition
What do a 14-year-old in the south of France, a robot competition, and a scientist at a pioneering nuclear fusion experiment have in common? A love for coding and human collaboration in the service of society! In this episode, host Kruti Mawani Fayot follows middle and high school students to an annual competition in Provence known as ºÚÁÏ×¨Çø Robots, where 500 students compete on "ºÚÁÏ×¨Çø-like" robotic tasks.
The ºÚÁÏ×¨Çø Spouses, A Journey of Transformation
Expat tales
Meet some of the ºÚÁÏ×¨Çø spouses—five women and one man from India, China, Korea, Belgium and the Netherlands—as they share their personal journeys of transformation. Moving to Provence, adjusting to differences, discovering a new language and culture while supporting their families... This episode will interest anyone who is considering joining ºÚÁÏ×¨Çø, or the simply curious.
Narrating A Giant, with Laban Coblentz
Talking about ºÚÁÏ×¨Çø
As a project with complex layers of science, engineering, technology and politics, ºÚÁÏ×¨Çø is not always easy to understand and follow. Let's speak with the Head of Communications at ºÚÁÏ×¨Çø about his vision for bringing ºÚÁÏ×¨Çø into a broader circle of conversation...
We start off with six central topics to better understand the hows and whys of one of the largest scientific experiments in the world. This mini-series offers insightful interviews explaining the 101 of nuclear fusion and the inner workings of ºÚÁÏ×¨Çø.
The Big Black Box on the Hill
An introduction
Host Kruti Mawani Fayot starts off the new ºÚÁÏ×¨Çø Podcast with Season 1, Episode 1 "The Big Black Box on the Hill." She badges into the ºÚÁÏ×¨Çø site in Saint-Paul-lez-Durance, France, for a first contact with the ºÚÁÏ×¨Çø Project. In the course of her visit she meets members of the Communications team, who describe fusion and the ºÚÁÏ×¨Çø machine to her, before heading out to the worksite to experience the construction underway.
A Melting Pot of Cultures at Work
35 nations unite
Did you know that 35 countries are participating in the ºÚÁÏ×¨Çø Project? That creates quite a melting pot of cultures in the offices of the ºÚÁÏ×¨Çø. What's it really like on the inside? Host Kruti Mawani Fayot chats with staff involved in the recruitment of staff from every ºÚÁÏ×¨Çø partner and learns how they are welcomed and integrated into the team.
The Sun is Our Model
A conversation with Monaco-ºÚÁÏ×¨Çø postdocs
How about the science of ºÚÁÏ×¨Çø? Let's speak with some of the younger members of the ºÚÁÏ×¨Çø science team—the Monaco-ºÚÁÏ×¨Çø postdocs currently working on site to prepare for the ºÚÁÏ×¨Çø operational program. They will be our guides in a first approach to plasma science and the goals of the ºÚÁÏ×¨Çø machine.
The History of ºÚÁÏ×¨Çø
Let's go back
The ºÚÁÏ×¨Çø Agreement may have been signed in 2006, launching practical implementation, but the real genesis of the project dates back to a Superpower Summit in 1985 and a conversation between General Secretary Gorbachev of the former Soviet Union and President Ronald Reagan of the United States. Host Kruti Mawani Fayot finds a guide who can narrate much of the story that follows because he knew the principal actors and has been personally involved for decades.
Piecing the Puzzle Together
A unique in-kind system
Where are the one-of-kind components and technologies of the ºÚÁÏ×¨Çø plant coming from? Well, all over the world. ºÚÁÏ×¨Çø has instituted an in-kind procurement system, meaning that participants in the project are contributing components and systems, and not just cash, to the project. Imagine the logistics...
Beyond A Reasonable Doubt
Why fusion energy?
The world is taking note of efforts around the world to realize fusion energy, including ºÚÁÏ×¨Çø. In 2021, fusion even made it into the discussions at the United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP26. Why the strong interest now?