Research Needs for Magnetic Fusion Energy Sciences - US Burning ...

PaRt ii: RESEaRcH tHRuStS
introduction
The thrusts described in the following chapters are the main results of the Workshop. They constitute
eighteen concerted research actions to address the key challenges of the fusion quest. each
thrust attacks a related set of fusion science issues, using a combination of new and existing tools,
in an integrated manner.
The thrusts range in content over all the issues delineated in the five themes. They also include a
wide range of sizes, from relatively small, focused activities to much larger, broadly encompassing
efforts. This spectrum should enhance the flexibility of oFes planning.
Three elements characterize, in varying degrees, all the ReneW thrusts:
• advance in fundamental science and technology, such as the development of broadly
applicable theoretical and simulation tools, or frontier studies in materials physics.
• confrontation with critical fusion challenges, such as plasma-wall interactions, or the
control of transient plasma events.
• The potential for major transformation of the program, such as altering the vision of a
future fusion reactor, or shortening the time scale for fusion’s realization.
Thrust organization: The thrusts are organized into theme chapters; each thrust is identified
with the theme that contains its most central issues. This organization mirrors that of Part i,
and is convenient for similar reasons. however, we emphasize again that the content of a typical
thrust transcends that of any single theme. The scientists contributing to most thrusts are from
a variety of research areas, and key elements of a given thrust may stem from ideas developed in
several themes.
Thrust summaries: The presentation of each thrust begins with a one-page summary. These
summaries are intended to provide a quick sense of what the thrust is about: the science and technology
questions it addresses, with context, and the major actions proposed. We emphasize that
the one-page summaries do not include all features and activities of the thrust — information
that will be found in the more detailed thrust description.
Linkages among thrusts: While each thrust attempts a certain stand-alone integrity, all are
linked in various ways. in particular, the activities of one thrust might depend upon information
to be discovered by another thrust. such linkages are discussed explicitly in the following chapters.
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