Slovenia's top research institute has put on the Fusion Expo as part of its annual festival aimed to promote the scientist whose name the institute bears.
The Jozef Stefan Institute launched the 13th annual Jozef Stefan days with the exhibition focusing on fusion. The Fusion Expo, an attempt to display the fundamentals of fusion in a clear and simple manner, coincides with the International Year of Physics.
The travelling exhibition, which is being put on by the EU in cooperation with the institute and the Ljubljana Faculty of Engineering, was opened by European Commissioner for Science and Research Janez Potocnik.
Potocnik highlighted fusion as an environmentally acceptable, safe and sustainable energy technology, especially in light of the limitations of fossil fuels and energy-imports dependency.
According to Potocnik, Europe is a leader in fusion research. Scientists are focusing on developing a technology for generating electric power in fusion power plants, yet he noted that despite considerable research efforts the technology might be as much as 50 years away.
A crucial part of international research efforts is the forthcoming International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER). Potocnik said he will do all he can to have construction of the EUR 5bn project start this year.
The institute's five-day festival will also feature lectures and debates in memory of the Slovenian physicist Jozef Stefan. Moreover, the Jozef Stefan awards will be given out to promising scientists, while the institute will open its doors to the public.
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