Elena Tonello
PhD thesis title: Modelling of boundary plasmas in linear devices and tokamaks
Academic Tutor: Carlo Spartaco Casari
Academic Supervisor: Matteo Passoni and Andrea Uccello (ISTP-CNR)
PhD cycle: 34° (see all student profiles of the same cycle > LINK)
BSc: Engineering Physics, Politecnico di Milano
MSc: Nuclear Engineering, Politecnico di Milano
Four months research stay at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne - EPFL (01/11/2021- 05/03/2022, Lausanne, Switzerland)
Master Thesis award on Physics and Engineering of Plasmas and Controlled Nuclear Fusion by RFX Consortium (January 2020, Padova)
Thesis abstract
Nuclear fusion is one of the low-carbon energy-producing technology that could play a role in sustaining a net-zero emission energy system in the next centuries. To ensure a stable and economically viable magnetic confinement nuclear fusion power plant operation, however, the control and mitigation of plasma and power exhaust are crucial. My PhD project aims to further improve the available modelling tools to investigate boundary plasma, expanding their exploitability in connection with the preparation of the operational phases for the ITER experiment and the development of next-generation fusion reactors.
Personal interest in my research theme
The decarbonisation of the energy production is one of the greatest challenges of our generation. By contributing to the research on nuclear fusion, I feel to be part of one of the most ambitious projects that mankind has ever faced, which success would be a milestone towards sustainable development.
Moreover, plasma physics is an extremely fascinating subject. Although during my PhD I have been often overwhelmed by its complexity, it also helped me in never being bored.
Moreover, plasma physics is an extremely fascinating subject. Although during my PhD I have been often overwhelmed by its complexity, it also helped me in never being bored.
