Senior Vice President for Research and Partnerships Tomás Díaz de la Rubia led a delegation from the University of Arizona to the National Ignition Facility (NIF) at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), the site of the world’s first laboratory demonstration of fusion ignition. The visit brought together leaders in materials science, optics, engineering, and space sciences from across the university.

For Díaz de la Rubia, the trip marked a return to a place he helped build earlier in his career. “It was deeply meaningful to be back, this time focused on how the University of Arizona can help accelerate the path from fusion ignition to commercial fusion energy,” he said.

The trip included in-depth discussions on inertial fusion energy (IFE), workforce development, and the technological challenges of scaling fusion energy. Tours of LLNL’s cutting-edge optics and laser facilities, including the NIF itself, offered insights into the infrastructure needed to advance this national priority. The delegation included:

• David Hahn – Craig M. Berge Dean, College of Engineering
• Horst Hahn – Special Advisor for Fusion Energy Commercialization, Office of Research and Partnerships
• Krishna Muralidharan – Professor, Materials Science and Engineering
• Kim Patten – Associate Vice President, Research Development; Acting Chief of Staff
• Barrett Potter – Professor, Materials Science and Engineering
• Sammy Tin – Professor, Materials Science and Engineering
• Pavel Polynkin – Research Professor, Optical Sciences and Aerospace & Mechanical Engineering
• Jeffrey S. Kingsley – Associate Director, Steward Observatory

The visit reflects U of A’s growing commitment to supporting the commercialization of fusion energy. With expertise spanning advanced materials, plasma science, high-performance computing, and space systems, the university is building convergent research teams to address the complex scientific and engineering challenges fusion presents. 

“Achieving commercial fusion will require partnerships that bridge science, technology, policy, and industry,” Díaz de la Rubia noted. “Arizona is positioning itself at that intersection.”

As the nation ramps up investments in fusion energy, Arizona aims to be not only a contributor—but a leader.