Joe Milnes, previous Head of JET Operations, said:
“Having been part of the JET team for the preparation and delivery of the DTE2 experiments, I was privileged to witness first-hand the incredible commitment and capabilities displayed by Fernanda and the whole JET team throughout that period.
“It has been said before that JET’s successes are really down to the world-class people who work on this machine and I can’t think of anyone who exemplifies the collaborative, creative and can-do spirit essential to JET’s success than Fernanda – a truly deserving recipient of this award.”
The Fusion Technology Award comprises a $3,000 prize and a commemorative plaque, which Fernanda will receive at the IEEE 31st SOFE event in Boston, Massachusetts, in June 2025. At this event, she will also deliver an invited talk, sharing insights and experiences from her illustrious career in fusion technology.
A spokesperson for EUROfusion said:
“This award reaffirms our commitment to advancing fusion technology through collaborative and innovative efforts. We are thrilled to celebrate Dr Rimini’s achievements and look forward to continuing our support for her work and the broader goals of the fusion energy community.”
For more information about the Fusion Technology Award and the IEEE NPSS, please see: IEEE NPSS Fusion Technology Committee.
for groundbreaking advancements in fusion energy. The recognition underscores her role in fostering a synergistic environment that leverages the strengths of both EUROfusion’s scientific staff and the leadership at JET."
Together with EUROfusion, UKAEA is proud that Fernanda Rimini has been honoured with the 2024 Fusion Technology Award by the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) Nuclear and Plasma Sciences Society. This recognition is awarded every other year at the Symposium on Fusion Engineering (SOFE) conference and highlights significant achievements in the field of fusion technology.
Fernanda was recognised for her leadership in the JET Deuterium-Tritium (D-T) operations, which have been instrumental in advancing global understanding and implementation of fusion technology. The award not only recognises her technical expertise but also her outstanding leadership, and the huge efforts of the entire team behind JET – spanning from engineering brilliance to scientific excellence.
Feedback from the judging panel stated:
“Dr Rimini has led initiatives that encapsulate the collaborative spirit necessary
Dr Fernanda Rimini
Fiona Harden, STEP Hi-CrIS Technical Lead for UKAEA, said: “We are excited to reach this agreement with CVŘ for building and operating a complex test rig using their LVR-15 research reactor. The objectives of Hi-CrIS are critical to fusion powerplant design and this importance is recognised by our partner who has worked openly with us to put this agreement in place.
“We were delighted to host CVŘ representatives at UKAEA’s Culham Campus, promoting the close collaborative approach of both UKAEA and CVŘ to reach our objective, whilst maximising many secondary benefits that this agreement will generate“.
Marek Miklos, Business Development Manager from CVŘ added: “Working in partnership with the STEP team is a fantastic opportunity to support the UK’s world-leading programme to develop a prototype fusion energy plant. The Hi-CrIS testing rig will open lots of opportunities for further material studies for fusion applications.”
The Hi-CrIS test rig will have globally unique capabilities, enabling samples to be tested under high energy neutron fluences at cryogenic temperatures and could further develop the knowledge of superconductor components at operating temperatures. Hi-CrIS could also enable alternative materials testing for the potential development of future fusion powerplants.
STEP aims to demonstrate net energy from fusion and will be built at West Burton in Nottinghamshire, targeting operations in 2040.
Fusion could be transformative for energy supply: near-limitless fuel, low carbon, safe, and sustainable for the long term.
To find out more about STEP, visit: step.ukaea.uk.
Together with EUROfusion, UKAEA is proud that Fernanda Rimini has been honoured with the 2024 Fusion Technology Award by the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) Nuclear and Plasma Sciences Society. This recognition is awarded every other year at the Symposium on Fusion Engineering (SOFE) conference and highlights significant achievements in the field of fusion technology.
Fernanda was recognised for her leadership in the JET Deuterium-Tritium (D-T) operations, which have been instrumental in advancing global understanding and implementation of fusion technology. The award not only recognises her technical expertise but also her outstanding leadership, and the huge efforts of the entire team behind JET – spanning from engineering brilliance to scientific excellence.
Feedback from the judging panel stated:
“Dr Rimini has led initiatives that encapsulate the collaborative spirit necessary