Fusion and Technology for Nuclear Safety and Security Department (FSN)

The Fusion and Technology for Nuclear Safety and Security Department (FSN) is organised into 18 research laboratories  distributed  into six Divisions:

• Fusion Physics
• Nuclear Fusion Technologies
• Experimental Engineering
• Nuclear Safety and Sustainability
• Technologies, Equipment and Materials for Nuclear Fission
• Physical Technologies for Safety and Health

Its strengths are its activities in the field of nuclear fusion and participation in major research programmes in physics and technology at national level, as well as international initiatives like ITER and Broader Approach. Other key activities include the development of fourth generation reactors, advanced technologies and systems for security (protection against Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear agents, and Explosives CBRNe), for the protection of the environment and cultural heritage, the exploration of the territory, optoelectronic and photonic processes and products.

Thanks to the Department expertise, ENEA is coordinator of the national research on nuclear fusion (research institutions, universities, etc.) represents Italy within Eurofusion, the consortium in charge of the activities of the Euratom European fusion programme. It also acts as a liaison to Fusion for Energy, the European agency in charge of contributing to the ITER project, with more than 500 SMEs involved.

The Department participates in Euratom research projects on technologies for intrinsically safe fourth generation nuclear fission and is considered a leader in the fields of non-proliferation, safety of nuclear installations, metrology. It also provides support to competent authorities for the management of treaties on nuclear issues and of radioactive waste and orphan sources, and to Sogin for activities related to decommissioning.

In the medical field, the Department is engaged in the development of proton accelerators with unique characteristics for the treatment of malignancies through proton therapy - which allows less invasive and more targeted treatments - and in the production of radiopharmaceuticals even with the use of research reactors under its management.

It has established numerous partnerships, including collaborations with universities, research institutions and national and international organisations like Euratom, Eurofusion, IAEA, the Nuclear Energy Agency of the OECD, Fusion4Energy, the ITER Organisation, as well as with companies in the public and private sectors.

On the scientific side, the Fusion Department works with many undergraduate and graduate students. Specifically, FSN plays an active role in two first-level Master programmes, one relating to CBRN risks and the other to fusion technologies.