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news release:
Finland now a European front-runner in fusion
technology
Helsinki, Finland, 7 March 2007: The
FUSION technology programme reinforced Finnish skills in the field,
especially in materials studies and in developing remote maintenance systems.
This Tekes programme also improved the prospects for Finnish companies to
participate in the vast ITER fusion power project.
Tekes launched the FUSION technology programme in
2003 and it was integrated into the EU's sixth framework programme for fusion
research. FUSION was focused principally on applications and technology for the
international ITER project to develop commercial fusion power. The costs of
building the ITER fusion reactor are estimated at five billion euros over the
next ten years.
"The Tekes programme had a strong effect on the
materials research and remote maintenance systems that fusion power will
require. Finland now has a unique concentration of competence in these areas,"
said Seppo Karttunen, chief research
scientist at VTT. He has been the programme manager of the four-year Tekes
programme.
"These fields of research will be crucial to the
ITER project, for which Finnish companies will now be able to provide products
and innovations. ITER's centre for developing remote maintenance systems is
being established in Tampere, Central Finland, which is a strong sign of the
esteem that Finland enjoys."
Strong
participation by companies
"We achieved notable results on the materials
side, especially in coating technology. The thin film wolfram coatings of Diarc
Technology, the smart tiles developed by VTT and Diarc, the powder HIP method
developed by Metso, and 3D forming by Hollming Works are examples of innovations
that have promising prospects when ITER orders begin. In addition, Luvata has
been involved in developing superconductors for ITER and will be well placed to
supply it with superconducting wires and cables."
The scientific results of the Tekes programme are
also exceptional. More than 220 studies have appeared in leading scientific
publications and there have been eight doctoral studies. The total budget of
the programme was EUR 18.4 million, of which Tekes funded EUR 8.1 million.
Fifteen companies and twelve research teams were involved.
Continuing
research and development
Tekes is continuing to fund research and
development within the Euratom-Tekes framework. In national R&D, cooperation
with the EU fusion development programme will still concentrate on remote
maintenance, materials and manufacturing technologies and on projects related to
plasma physics and diagnostics that will serve ITER construction and
participation.
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