Five European students join IPFN for fusion internships
Five students from three European universities have joined IPFN for research internships, contributing to ongoing projects in fusion technology, nuclear engineering and advanced simulation within IPFN's Engineering and Systems Integration Group (GESI).
This year, the institute welcomed students from Le Cnam Paris (France), Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II (Italy), and Grenoble INP Phelma – Université Grenoble Alpes (France). Between April and September, they are working under the supervision of IPFN researchers Alberto Vale, Raul Luís and Jorge Santos, contributing to ongoing R&D activities while gaining first-hand experience in the scientific and technical challenges associated with fusion energy.
For Alberto Vale, Professor at Técnico and Researcher at IPFN, welcoming students from different European institutions goes beyond providing practical training. As he explains, 'these internships allow us not only to share the knowledge and long-standing expertise developed at IPFN, but also to learn from the perspectives, ideas, and experiences of young and eager engineers coming from diverse academic and cultural backgrounds,' creating an exchange that strengthens both the institute's research environment and the professional development of the students.
That exchange is reflected in the diversity of the projects undertaken during the internships. Pierre Megnigbeto, a second-year Nuclear Engineering student from Le Cnam Paris, is contributing to the simulation and modelling of reactor building components, applying concepts developed during his degree to practical engineering problems. Looking back on his work so far, he says it has allowed him to apply the theoretical knowledge acquired during his studies to real engineering challenges providing valuable insight into the realities of nuclear engineering.
Mechanical design is another important area represented in this year's programme. Ricardo Vosa, a Master's student in Mechanical Engineering for Design and Production at the Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, is contributing to the development of engineering solutions for fusion applications. Working within the demanding constraints of the sector has enabled him to translate academic knowledge into practice, describing the internship as 'an incredible opportunity' to contribute to 'a highly innovative and fascinating project'.
The programme also includes projects in neutronics, focusing on the characterisation of the radiation environment surrounding the magnetic sensors of the DEMO tokamak using Monte Carlo simulations. According to Raul Luís, the students' strong motivation and solid background in nuclear engineering made them 'ideal candidates for the ongoing projects on DEMO diagnostic design and integration' allowing them to integrate rapidly into the team's activities.
Working alongside Raul Luís, Valentine Raulot and Augustine Roques, both from Grenoble INP Phelma – Université Grenoble Alpes, are contributing to these studies while gaining their first direct experience in a fusion research environment. For Valentine, this internship has provided an opportunity to move beyond the classroom and understand how theoretical knowledge is applied in practice. Becoming familiar with simulation tools used in DEMO studies has allowed her to see the “concrete applications” of her studies while working in what she describes as a supportive and welcoming environment.
Augustine has also found the collaborative nature of the work to be one of the most rewarding aspects of the experience. By working closely with another intern on data analysis and the interpretation of scientific reports, she has gained a broader understanding of how research is carried out in an international setting. For her, 'discovering the world of research through this internship' has been an enriching step in his academic journey, highlighting both the technical and personal skills developed throughout the project.
Under the supervision of Jorge Santos, Téo Charre, a second-year Energy and Nuclear Engineering student from Grenoble INP Phelma, is developing software tools for 3D electromagnetic simulations that support ongoing R&D activities at IPFN. For Jorge, these European internships create a valuable exchange between academic training and scientific research, allowing students to contribute to challenging projects while bringing fresh perspectives into the group. He highlights Téo's 'strong engagement and swift adaptability' as qualities that have contributed positively to the team's work.
Alongside developing computational tools, he has strengthened his programming and scientific computing skills while working in an international research environment. He describes the project as 'a great opportunity to discover the field of nuclear fusion through a research project with practical applications'.
During their internships, the five students will continue contributing to projects across GESI, applying their academic knowledge to real scientific and engineering challenges while working besides IPFN researchers on technologies that support the future of fusion energy.
