Among the most exciting current challenges in the field of physics is, without doubt, that of nuclear fusion. A field to which, moreover, Italy has been devoting increasing and growing attention in recent times, especially for the potential of this type of reaction as a 'clean, safe, abundant and sustainable source of energy'. It was precisely to the 'process that keeps the stars lit' that the Italian Embassy in Madrid dedicated an ad hoc event in the run-up to Italian Research Day in the World (22 April). The initiative, held yesterday afternoon, counted on the participation of several leading Italian and Spanish experts in the field, with speeches aimed at illustrating the current state of research in the sector, examples of significant international projects, and future prospects.
The event, divided into three panels and moderated by the embassy's scientific attaché, Sergio Scopetta, was introduced by Ambassador Giuseppe Buccino Grimaldi. "In the medium term, nuclear fusion can become a solution to substantially limit the effects of the climate change that so afflicts our two countries," he argued, also highlighting "the great commitment that Italy and Spain are investing in projects that are not only multilateral, but also bilateral. Among the most significant moves is, for example, 'the explicit mention of nuclear fusion' in a recent memorandum of understanding on basic research, as well as 'the strong Italian interest' in an international laboratory under construction in Granada.
Buccino Grimaldi also recalled two prominent Italian personalities in the field of fusion research: Francesco Romanelli (who was present at the Madrid event), now president of the Dtt consortium after having 'directed for many years the world's largest magnetic confinement fusion experiment, Jet', and Pietro Barabaschi, 'who today directs in France the construction of Iter, the large international reactor heir to Jet'. He also thanked the Spanish public research collaborators, represented by Yolanda Benito (Ciemat) and Inmaculada Figueroa (Ministry of Science).
The day's other participants were Paola Batistoni (Enea), Carlos Hidalgo (Ciemat), Pedro Velarde, (UpM), Ángel Ibarra (Ifmif-Dones), Francesca Ferrazza (Eni), Ana Belén del Cerro, (Cdti), Marc Lachaise (Fusion for Energy), Stefano Fabris (Cnr) and Diego Bettoni (Infn). Among the most emphasised concepts were 'the importance of bilateral Italy-Spain cooperation', the need to 'attract new talent' and 'the agreement on a new operational paradigm, that of including industry right from the design phase of initiatives'.
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