European Researchers’ Night 2026
The European Researchers’ Night returned to Lisbon on 25 September, bringing science and research closer to the public at the National Museum of Natural History and Science (MUHNAC-ULisboa). Under this year’s theme, “Emerging topics in science: climate change, sustainability, and inclusion”, IPFN presented two hands-on activities: “The Journey of Lasers and Plasmas” and “Can we recreate the energy of the stars on Earth?”.
The event welcomed around 4,100 visitors across more than 120 activities, creating a lively evening of discovery, dialogue, and direct contact between researchers and the public. At the IPFN stands, visitors of all ages were invited to ask questions, take part in demonstrations, and discover how research in plasma physics and nuclear fusion connects to some of today’s major scientific and technological challenges.
In “The Journey of Lasers and Plasmas,” participants explored some of the fundamental principles behind interactions between light and matter, as well as ionised gases. In the “Light Discharge Tubes” experiment, visitors observed the characteristic colours emitted by different gases, whilst the “Jacob’s Ladder” offered a striking demonstration of an electric arc rising between two electrodes as the surrounding air becomes ionised, visually demonstrating how electricity generates plasma and inspiring curiosity in physics.
The activity also included GoLP/IPFN virtual reality glasses, offering interactive computer simulations of plasma-based particle accelerators, astrophysical plasmas, and light–matter interactions. For many visitors, this immersive technology helped transform abstract physical processes into tangible concepts they could see, question, and discuss.
For Rafael Almeida, a PhD student in Physics at IPFN whose work focuses on structured light and its interaction with plasma, these activities are an essential opportunity to share his work and engage with the public. “From young children who arrive too shy to speak and end up asking genuinely fascinating questions, to adults eager to stay connected with cutting-edge science, every conversation is incredibly rewarding”, says Rafael.
“Can we recreate the energy of the stars on Earth?” was the focus of another activity, introducing those who stopped by to the principles of nuclear fusion and the challenge of reproducing on Earth the reactions that power the Sun and other stars. Through an interactive quiz, they tested their knowledge of fusion energy, the conditions needed to achieve it and the technologies being developed to make it possible.
Demonstrations with a Plasma Ball and a toroidal plasma vessel introduced plasma as the fourth state of matter and helped explain how magnetic fields can be used to confine it. A 3D model of the ITER reactor also gave visitors a sense of the scale, ambition and engineering complexity behind the world’s largest fusion experiment, currently under construction in Cadarache, France.
“Taking part in European Researchers’ Night at the IPFN stand was a very rewarding experience: it allowed me to communicate my research to the general public and gain a better understanding of people’s preconceptions and hopes regarding nuclear fusion,” said Mário Vaz.
A PhD student in Physics at IPFN working on edge dynamics in strongly shaped plasmas, Mário found the fusion activity an opportunity to make one of today’s most ambitious scientific challenges more tangible for the public.
Throughout the evening, the enthusiasm of visitors reflected the commitment of the researchers and volunteers involved. For the IPFN team, the event provided an opportunity to present scientific concepts, listen to questions, encourage curiosity and share the motivation behind their work.
For Susana Muiños, GoLP Science Manager, taking part in the event was also a reminder of the importance of working with a team able to communicate science with clarity and enthusiasm. “It is great to work with a team like this, motivated and capable of communicating complex information in an accessible way,” said Susana. “Seeing the look of amazement on the little ones’ faces and sparking their curiosity is, for me, the best part.”
Celebrated across the continent, the European Researchers’ Night brought together more than 1.5 million people in 460 cities across 25 countries, reaffirming its role in opening science to society and showing the impact of research on everyday life.
