Research

Gallery: Fusion lecture provides energizing start to new series

A man in a baseball hat standing in front of a large screen speaks to an audience.
A crowded room full of seated people listening to a presentation.
President Garimella speaks in front of a large screen.
Two men in glasses pose for a picture in front of a black backdrop.
Three men speak in the lobby of the Grand Challenges Research Building.
A man in glasses standing in front of a large screen speaks to a crowd.
A glass tube holds a red ball inside a gold bar with blue streaks coming off of it.
Men in blazers talk to each other in the lobby of the Grand Challenges Research Building.

The University of Arizona Office Research, Innovation & Impact Distinguished Lecture Series kicked off with an engaging presentation from Dr. Edward I. Moses, CEO of Longview Fusion Energy Systems. He has led billion-dollar projects like the National Ignition Facility and the Giant Magellan Telescope. A National Academy of Engineering member, Dr. Moses holds 20 patents and has over 150 peer-reviewed papers.

Dr. Moses was joined by U of A President Suresh Garimella, who welcomed guests to the lecture in the newly completed  Grand Challenges Research Building . Tomás Díaz de la Rubia, senior vice president for research and innovation, introduced Dr. Moses, who donned a U of A baseball cap and began his presentation, The Path to Laser-Driven Commercial Fusion Energy: Past, Present & Future.

Dr. Moses considers harnessing fusion energy to be ‘one of humankind’s greatest challenges’. It could be the ultimate clean, sustainable energy source. A 2022 breakthrough at the National Ignition Facility proved controlled fusion gain, bringing commercialization within reach.

“The United States has a clear lead on this and it’s important for us to keep that up,” said Moses. His presentation covered how laser-driven fusion evolved from the 1960s to today, the role of fusion in energy security, climate solutions, and global leadership, and what’s next in commercial fusion energy. Following the presentation, Dr. Moses fielded multiple questions from an engaged and enthusiastic audience.

Dr. Diaz de la Rubia expressed his excitement surrounding future Distinguished Lecture Series events and hopes to host three or four each semester. He looks forward to introducing new ideas to the university that may not be mainstream but are important to the future of our society.

Details of the next lecture will be posted here as soon as they are available.

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