Nuclear fusion with a twist

Ralf Mackenbach. Photo: Bart van Overbeeke Ralf Mackenbach defended his PhD thesis cum laude at the Department of Applied Physics and Science Education on November 29th. Although nuclear fusion is considered the sustainable energy source of the future, generating energy via a 'sun in a box' remains a complex challenge. Researchers are working hard on multiple fronts to realize a nuclear fusion reactor. Ralf Mackenbach, PhD candidate at TU/e, has developed a mathematical model to predict turbulent swirls of the scorching-hot plasma. This might bring us one step closer to controlling fusion materials. Ralf Mackenbach's eyes light up when he talks about the sun.