Speaker: Giuseppe Calabrò (Tuscia)
Title: TRUST – A New Academic Small Tokamak to Explore HTS and Metamaterial Technologies
Abstract: The University of Tuscia (UNITUS), based in Viterbo, Italy, is a rapidly expanding academic institution that combines strong regional engagement with a broad international outlook.
This seminar will present TRUST (Tuscia Research University Small Tokamak), a new compact and modular experimental tokamak conceived and developed at UNITUS. TRUST is designed as both an educational and research platform, providing students and young researchers with hands-on experience in tokamak operation, diagnostics, and system design. The device integrates High-Temperature Superconducting (HTS) coils and introduces an innovative Alternative Magnetic Layout (AML), aimed at simplifying the magnetic configuration of fusion reactors while maintaining performance and scalability. Furthermore, the modular system allows for easy replacement of plasma-facing components and testing of novel materials and technologies, including metamaterials, as W foams.
With a major radius R Ём 0.3 m, an aspect ratio R/a Ёж 2.3, and pulse durations on the order of tenths of a second, TRUST represents a realistic yet ambitious step toward compact fusion research. Supported by strong industrial and institutionalpartnerships, the project acts as a bridge between academia, innovation, and industryЈDnurturing a new generation of fusion scientists and engineers, and paving the way for the next era of compact fusion devices.