MIT lab speeds fusion materials discovery with proton beams

MIT has launched the Schmidt Laboratory for Materials in Nuclear Technologies (LMNT) to accelerate the development of materials for fusion energy. The lab will use cyclotron proton beam irradiation. LMNT aims to speed up the discovery of materials that can withstand the extreme conditions of fusion reactors, such as intense heat and particle bombardment. The lab will repurpose existing infrastructure and collaborate with private fusion companies. The new lab, supported by philanthropic funding, will also aid in developing materials for nuclear power plants and other applications. It will provide educational opportunities for students in fusion technology.