Mission and Values

The specific missions of IPFN, described in its Contract of Associated Laboratory, can be summarized as follows:

• Coordinate the Portuguese participation in the Euratom Fusion Programme and in the European Joint Undertaking for ITER and the Development of Fusion Energy (F4E).
• Participate in projects with the European Space Agency (ESA), related to studies of fundamental physics of space and astrophysical plasmas.
• Ensure the Portuguese participation in the European projects on new plasma accelerators.
• Develop the national technology in ultrashort, ultra-intense lasers for multidisciplinary applications.
• Ensure the Portuguese participation in European projects and networks on low-temperature plasma physics and engineering and to develop national competences in plasma-based key-enabling technologies for environmental, biological and energy applications and for novel nanostructured materials.
• Carry out research projects, service rendering, advanced training and outreach activities in its thematic areas.
• Collaborate in the graduate and post-graduate teaching in Plasma Physics and Engineering, Intense Lasers and Controlled Nuclear Fusion.

National and international enrichment

To further increase the impact of our activities by focusing on the fields where IPFN could lead and play a central role, leveraging on the combined expertise of our staff in theory, simulation and experiments, and the unique mix of know-how on a wide range of plasma physics and engineering

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Collaboration

To have an active participation in the long-duration, large-scale R&D projects that will shape the landscape of the future EU infrastructures, carried out in the frame of International Organizations

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Innovation

To develop experimental facilities in the areas of magnetic and inertial confinement nuclear fusion, intense lasers and environmental plasma engineering, providing a critical home base for the experimental activities carried out in EU larger facilities; to enhance cross-cutting activities in plasma physics theory and modelling, taking advantage of our leadership in advanced computing infrastructures

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Service

To increase the links with industry by promoting its participation in IPFN projects, by licensing the technology developed in IPFN, or by launching industrial spin-offs

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Preservation and dissemination of knowledge

To pursue advanced formation, training and outreach activities in the framework of national and international programmes in our fields of expertise, in close connection with the most important European initiatives, taking advantage of the Portuguese science policy directions

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Continuous improvement and excellence

As a target for personal and professional growth, offering the ways and means for its attainment by improving the logistic conditions (installations compatible with the challenges of our activity), the human resources (to increase the number and the stability of our staff), the financial resources and the technical and administrative support teams