ZAGREB, 22 Nov (Hina) - Croatia, Spain, Italy, Japan and EURATOM in Madrid signed a multilateral agreement establishing the institutional and legal framework for the DONES project, a mega-research facility crucial for fusion energy development.
The agreement, signed at Spain's Ministry of Science, Innovation and Higher Education, involves institutions representing the five partners responsible for developing, constructing and managing DONES -- DONES Spain, the Ruđer Bošković Institute (IRB) on behalf of the Croatian DONES.HR consortium, the Italian National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN), the Japanese Quantum Science and Technology Institute (QST), and Fusion for Energy (F4E), the EU's fusion energy agency representing the European Atomic Energy Community (EURATOM), with Germany expected to join soon.
IFMIF-DONES (International Fusion Materials Irradiation Facility-DEMO-Oriented Neutron Source) will be the world's only facility testing materials for fusion, building a database on neutron radiation effects critical for designing future fusion reactors.
"This historic agreement establishes international governance over a key piece of fusion energy infrastructure, positioning the EU as a global leader. Croatia and IRB are part of this elite consortium," said IRB director David M. Smith.
The agreement marks a 40-year collaboration, with a 10-year construction phase ending in 2035, followed by 30 years of scientific operation. Participation elevates Croatia's scientific profile and ensures its role in developing materials for next-generation fusion reactors, said Tonči Tadić, head of Croatian fusion activities.
"Without DONES, it is impossible to safely construct a fusion power plant. In addition to testing materials, DONES will play a key role in developing the technology for the production of tritium, an isotope that does not exist in sufficient quantities in nature but is essential for the operation of future fusion reactors. Each reactor will need to produce its own fuel, and DONES is the only platform in the world that allows experimental testing of these processes," said Tadić.
DONES will also enable a wide range of additional research, including testing the resistance of electronic systems to neutron radiation, and application in biomedicine, solid-state physics, astrophysics, advanced materials, and industrial neutron tomography, such as diagnosing damage in aircraft engines and vehicles.
After signing, the DONES Board met to discuss strategic programs and management changes. Staša Skenžić was appointed chair of the Board for two years, and Philippe Cara as interim program manager.
