Topic outline

  • General

    The exams will be in-person, room Y338b Vaaksa (Otakaari 1) on Thursday April 7th, 2022:

    8:00-9:00 Luukas, Joel

    9:00-10:00 Mikko, Ilja

    10:00-11:00 Samuli, Leevi


    Feb 7, 2022: starting Feb 28, 2022 (period IV) teaching events of less than 40 persons may be held on campus according to the previously planned timetable

    • Flexibility regarding the organizing of teaching, study attainments and schedules is recommended ⇒ Zoom still possible and offered
    • For latest university update on COVID-19, follow https://www.aalto.fi/en/aalto-university/information-oncoronavirus


    Fusion Energy Technology aims to teach the basic principles and underlying physics of producing energy from fusion of hydrogen. The course consists of three principal components: the first section gives an overview of the physical conditions for fusion and presents the main fusion reactor concepts. The second part deals with the technical characteristics of a fusion reactor, in particular, with material issues, vacuum technology, heat transfer and fuel technology. The third section covers the potential of fusion power plant features, security, and the future of fusion generated electricity. 

    The course includes lectures, exercises, and an exam. Upon completion, graduates will have a basic understanding of what fusion is, an overview of major fusion research topics and challenges in constructing a fusion power plant, and how the fusion-fired power plant will potentially work.

    The grade for the course will be determined on the scale 0-5 based on three factors:

    • 50% for attending the exercise classes and getting the exercises done 
    • 25% for attending lectures and responded to the quiz questions
    • 25% for the (final) exams

    The final exam can be either oral or written exam depending on the number of students attending the course.

    Generally, the course schedule will be according to the "Upcoming events" on the right.

    (Updated Jan 10, 2022): Given the present COVID-19 restrictions, attending the lectures and exercise classes via Zoom are preferred and anticipated. The links to the Zoom sessions are given under "Lectures" and "Assignments". Room Y309b is booked for both the lectures and the exercise classes, thus permitting a small number (in general, less than 10) of students to attend them in person. In-person attendance needs to be registered with the teaching assistant (Henri Kumpulainen) the Friday prior to the lecture and exercise class. These rules and in-person attendance will be assessed and adjusted weekly according to the general COVID-19 rules and restrictions within Aalto University.

    Week Jan 10-14, 2022: Fusion principles. Lecture (Prof Mathias Groth) Monday, Jan 10, 2022, 2-4pm, no exercise session during the first week of the course

    Week Jan 17-21, 2022: Fusion concepts. Lecture (Prof Mathias Groth) Monday, Jan 17, 2022, 2-4pm, exercise session (MSc Henri Kumpulainen) Wednesday, Jan 19, 2022, 10am - 12pm

    Week Jan 24-28, 2022: Tokamaks 1. Lecture (Dr Timo Kiviniemi) Monday, Jan 24, 2022, 2-4pm, exercise session (MSc Henri Kumpulainen) Wednesday, Jan 26, 2022, 10am - 12pm

    Week Jan 31 - Feb 4, 2022: Tokamaks 2. Lecture (Dr Timo Kiviniemi) Monday, Jan 31, 2-4pm, exercise session (MSc Henri Kumpulainen) Wednesday, Feb 2, 2022, 10am - 12pm

    Week Feb 7-11, 2022: ITER. Lecture (Prof Mathias Groth) Monday Feb 7, 2022, 2-4pm, exercise session (MSc Henri Kumpulainen) on Wednesday, Feb 9, 2022, 10am - 12pm

    Week Feb 14-18, 2022: Stellarators.  Lecture (Dr Timo Kiviniemi) Monday, Feb 14, 2-4pm, exercise session (MSc Henri Kumpulainen) on Wednesday, Feb 16, 2022, 10am - 12pm

    Week Feb 21-25, 2022: Exam week - no lectures or exercises

    Week Feb 28 - Mar 4, 2022: Inertial confinement fusion. Lecture (Dr Timo Kiviniemi) Monday, Feb 28, 2022, 2-4pm, exercise session (MSc Henri Kumpulainen) Wednesday, Mar 2, 10am - 12pm

    Week Mar 7-11, 2022: Plasma diagnostics. Lecture (Prof Mathias Groth) Monday, Mar 7, 2022, 2-4pm, exercise session (MSc Henri Kumpulainen) Wednesday, Mar 9, 2022, 10am - 12pm

    Week Mar 14-18, 2022: Plasma heating. Lecture (Dr Timo Kiviniemi) Monday, Mar 14, 2022, 2-4pm, exercise session (MSc Henri Kumpulainen) Wednesday, Mar 16, 2022, 10am - 12pm

    Week Mar 21-25, 2022: Scrape-off layer and plasma-wall interaction. Lecture (Prof Mathias Groth) Monday, Mar 21, 2022, 2-4pm, exercise session (MSc Henri Kumpulainen) Wednesday, Mar 23, 2022, 10am - 12pm

    Week Mar 28 - Apr 1, 2022: Tritium cycle. Lecture (Prof Mathias Groth) Monday, Mar 28, 2022, 2-4pm, exercise session (MSc Roni Mäenpää, MSc Henri Kumpulainen) Wednesday, Mar 30, 2022, 10am - 12pm

    Week Apr 4-8, 2022: Fusion energy as part of the future energy mix. Lecture (Prof Mathias Groth) Monday, Apr 4, 2022, 2-4pm, exercise session (MSc Henri Kumpulainen) Wednesday, Apr 6, 2022, 10am - 12pm

    Week Apr 11-15, 2022: Exam week - no lectures or exercises