US system tests fusion stellarator design within fraction of a second

The US Department of Energy’s Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) is launching the StellFoundry project to accelerate the design of stellarator fusion devices using artificial intelligence (AI). Stellarators rely on complex magnetic coils to confine fusion plasma, but designing these twisted configurations traditionally involves lengthy and computationally intensive calculations. StellFoundry aims to replace these time-consuming computations with fast digital surrogate models that provide approximate results, enabling scientists to test thousands of stellarator designs in seconds or milliseconds instead of hours or days. This rapid testing capability will allow more efficient exploration of configurations that meet the temperature, pressure, and stability requirements for fusion reactions. StellFoundry also facilitates integration of various stellarator simulation programs to produce more comprehensive and faster whole-device models. The project involves around 30 researchers from multiple institutions and aligns with the DOE’s broader initiatives, including the Genesis Mission and the Fusion Science and Technology Roadmap. These efforts seek to accelerate fusion energy development by combining AI, advanced computation, and digital engineering