Out of the tokamak and into European industry An EU-funded network of brokers worked together to identify the potential of technologies developed as part of the European fusion energy programme for other industry sectors. Industrial Technologies Energy © cosinart, Thinkstock The goal of EUROfusion is to make the energy of stars available on Earth by fusing hydrogen nuclei. European laboratories have succeeded in generating fusion power from abundant materials such as deuterium, and today hold a leading position in fusion research. Europe also hosts the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) whose construction is fostering research and development of new technologies that will help prove the feasibility of fusion as a large-scale source of energy. These technologies include measuring techniques, precision engineering and optics. EUROfusion laboratories joined the FUTTA (Fusion technology transfer action) project along with several other partners. The Technology Transfer Programme Office (TTPO) of the European Space Agency (ESA) undertook the challenge of facilitating the transfer of technologies developed to various industry sectors. To get in touch with the industry outside of the space and fusion communities, the German Centre of Satellite Navigation and the Science and Technology Facilities Council in the United Kingdom supported FUTTA's market pull strategy. They reached out through direct contact to more than 900 companies. Technologies attuned to industry's needs were identified during meetings. Partners found a total of 24 technologies, the outcome of fusion research, as appealing to non-fusion industries. They also anticipated links established between space and fusion communities to assist commercialisation of products based on scientific discoveries. The ESA Technology Transfer portal was extended to provide information on technologies that can resolve manufacturing problems as well as aid in timely and cost-effective production. For instance, the technique of protective layering on martensitic steel can also be used in turbine blade production. By strengthening the relationships between fusion, space and other industries, the FUTTA project has expedited cross-technology transfer. By using the collective capabilities and expertise of the EIROFORUM members, brokers opened the way for transferring new technologies to the marketplace. Keywords Tokamak, EUROfusion, fusion research, FUTTA, technology transfer, ESA
