The Munich-based startup Proxima Fusion, a pioneer in the development of stellarator fusion power plants, has secured funding of €6.5 million from the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). The goal of the “AI for Fusion Engineering” project is to significantly enhance the design process of stellarators – key technologies in fusion research – through the use of artificial intelligence (AI).
Lamarr Professor Zorah Lähner Advances AI Development
As part of the project, Proxima Fusion is collaborating with the University of Bonn, Forschungszentrum Jülich, and the Technical University of Munich. Central to this effort is the work of Prof. Dr. Zorah Lähner, Lamarr Professor at the University of Bonn and Principal Investigator on Hybrid ML at the Lamarr Institute for Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence. Her team is developing innovative AI-powered tools to efficiently model and optimize the complex geometric structures of stellarators.
“Combining geometric deep learning with machine learning creates entirely new possibilities for addressing the challenges in stellarator development,” says Prof. Lähner. “The technologies developed in this project also hold great potential for driving innovation in other industries, such as aerospace and automotive manufacturing.”
Proxima Fusion as the Coordinating Partner
Proxima Fusion leads the project, leveraging its extensive expertise in simulation-driven stellarator development. The company aims to develop commercially viable fusion power plants that provide reliable and sustainable energy.
“The partnership with leading research institutions like the University of Bonn and the use of cutting-edge AI technologies will enable us to drive stellarator development significantly forward,” emphasizes Dr. Francesco Sciortino, CEO of Proxima Fusion.
A Joint Path Toward the Future of Fusion Energy
The “AI for Fusion Engineering” project demonstrates how AI can help overcome technical challenges in fusion research. In the long term, it aims to pave the way for fusion power plants as a sustainable, climate-friendly energy source for the future.
For more information about the project, visit: https://www.proximafusion.com/
