Active Research Projects
Breeding Blanket
A commercially viable deuterium-tritium fusion device needs a blanket to shield against neutrons and produce tritium. Columbia’s research in this area is focused on extracting tritium from the blanket and modeling how conducting blanket concepts interact with plasma dynamics.
Disruption Mitigation Research
Design against off-normal events is an essential part of fusion energy research. The rapid quench of the tokamak plasma (called a 'disruption') releases a burst of energy into the reactor vessel that must be controlled. Research involves designing systems and techniques to manage this energy release in a benign manner.
News
George Su Wins Best Student Presenter Prize at Runaway Electron Modelling Meeting
Congratulations to George Su from the Columbia University Fusion Research Center on winning a best PhD student presenter prize at the 13th Runaway Electron Modelling (REM) meeting!
Inaugural Professional Mini-Course Completed
The Columbia Fusion Research Center hosted a new two-day mini-course targeting professionals in the policy, journalism, business, and investment communities on June 17th and 18th, 2026.
Summer Research Experience Program Kicks-off
The 2026 Columbia Fusion Research Center Summer Internship Program is officially underway, bringing together a talented cohort of undergraduate researchers to explore some of the most exciting challenges in plasma science and fusion energy.