2010 International Fulbright Science and Technology

9 November 2009

MEDIA RELEASE

Young New Zealand Scientist to Research the Future of Nuclear Energy

A Dunedin student with a view of a clean and safe nuclear-powered future has been recognised as one of the world’s top young scientists, and will complete a PhD at a leading American university thanks to his selection for a prestigious International Fulbright Science and Technology Award. Only 40 of the awards are presented worldwide each year, to top students from participating countries in the Fulbright exchange programme.

As Jono explains, the US is a powerhouse in the international field of nuclear fusion research:“The nature of fusion research means the experiments are complex, with many components, and therefore very costly. Much of the research is conducted by large, multidisciplinary teams, and consequently no experiments are currently taking place in New Zealand. I’m hoping to study at either Princeton University or MIT, both of which have strong graduate programmes in the area of fusion research and seem to be really exciting and vibrant places to study.”

He estimates that it “will probably be 40 or 50 years or so before fusion becomes a commercially viable energy option,” and says that while the technology is unlikely to be needed in New Zealand, it could offer greater security of power supply. “Fusion offers incredible promise in the production of clean energy and has the potential to revolutionise the way we produce power.

New Zealand is in the enviable position of having plentiful resources for sustainable power generation. However, there are some large difficulties with the volatility and unpredictability of conventional renewable energy sources (solar, wind etc.) and fusion power promises to overcome these.”

Fulbright New Zealand was established in 1948 to promote mutual understanding through educational and cultural exchanges between New Zealand and the United States of America. The Fulbright programme offers a range of prestigious awards for New Zealand and American graduate students, academics, artists and professionals to study, research and teach in each other’s countries.