Tag Archives: India

No animal testing with 3D-printed skin imitation?

An April 3, 2025 news item on ScienceDaily announces work that promises to bring researchers closer to ending nanoparticle cosmetic testing on animals,

A research team from TU Graz [Austria[ and the Vellore Institute of Technology in India is developing a 3D-printed skin imitation equipped with living cells in order to test nanoparticles from cosmetics without animal testing.

Directive 2010/63/EU laid down restrictions on animal testing for the testing of cosmetics and their ingredients throughout the EU. Therefore, there is an intense search for alternatives to test the absorption and toxicity of nanoparticles from cosmetics such as sun creams.

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An April 3, 2025 Graz University of Technology (TU Graz) press release by Falko Schoklitsch (also on EurekAlert), which originated the news item, provides more detail about this international collaboration

Hydrogels in which skin cells survive and grow

“The hydrogels for our skin imitation from the 3D printer have to fulfil a number of requirements,” says Karin Stana Kleinschek from the Institute of Chemistry and Technology of Biobased Systems. “The hydrogels must be able to interact with living skin cells. These cells not only have to survive, but also have to be able to grow and multiply.” The starting point for stable and 3D-printable structures are hydrogel formulations developed at TU Graz. Hydrogels are characterised by their high-water content, which creates ideal conditions for the integration and growth of cells. However, the high-water content also requires methods for mechanical and chemical stabilisation of the 3D prints.

TU Graz is working intensively on cross-linking methods for stabilisation. Ideally, following nature’s example, the cross-linking takes place under very mild conditions and without the use of cytotoxic chemicals. After successful stabilisation, the cooperation partners in India test the resistance and toxicity of the 3D prints in cell culture. Only when skin cells in the hydrogel survive in cell culture for two to three weeks and develop skin tissue can we speak of a skin imitation. This skin imitation can then be used for further cell tests on cosmetics.

Successful tests

The first tests of 3D-printed hydrogels in cell culture were very successful. The cross-linked materials are non-cytotoxic and mechanically stable. “In the next step, the 3D-printed models (skin imitations) will be used to test nanoparticles,” says Karin Stana Kleinschek. “This is a success for the complementary research at TU Graz and VIT. Our many years of expertise in the field of material research for tissue imitations and VIT’s expertise in molecular and cell biology have complemented each other perfectly. We are now working together to further optimise the hydrogel formulations and validate their usefulness as a substitute for animal experiments.”

Here’s a link to and a citation for the paper,

Protocol for the fabrication of self-standing (nano)cellulose-based 3D scaffolds for tissue engineering by Tamilselvan Mohan, Matej Bračič, Doris Bračič, Florian Lackner, Chandran Nagaraj, Andreja Dobaj Štiglic, Rupert Kargl, Karin Stana Kleinsch. STAR Protocols Volume 6, Issue 1, 21 March 2025, 103583 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xpro.2024.103583 (Creative Commons Licence: CC by NC 4.0)

This paper is open access.

World’s largest and most powerful pulsed magnet system completed—ITER and fusion energy + local fusion news

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Before launching into the news, I have a few explanatory bits, which can be easily skipped.

Fusion energy

There’s a lot of interest in fusion energy, a form of nuclear energy, that promises to be sustainable and ‘clean’. Adam Stein’s May 29, 2024 article “Nuclear fusion: the true, the false and the uncertain” for Polytechique insights (Institut polytechnique de Paris) tempers some of the enthusiasm/hype about fusion energy. In this excerpt, he examines claims about ‘clean’ energy, Note: A link has been removed,

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#2 Fusion will become a source of clean, limitless energy

TRUE — Fusion is generally seen as “clean” energy.

It produces substantially less radioactive “waste” than fission – though it is possible that with emerging technologies, waste from fusion and fission could be reused. Still, like other nuclear fission, fusion will require appropriate and comprehensive oversight. One concern is that the reaction could be used to generate fissile materials usable in weapons. Fusion machines and related reactions do not directly produce material useful for weapons. The reaction does, however, create an enormous amount of neutrons.

On the bright side, these neutrons could help generate more fuel for the fusion reaction — many designs plan to incorporate a “breeding blanket,” a layer of materials that acts as heat insulation, but is also lined with materials that can capture the neutrons to create more tritium. Uranium or thorium could also be placed in some breeding blanket designs. The concern is that these materials, once irradiated, could generate uranium-235 that can be used in nuclear weapons. Physical ways to deter this process exist, such as requiring the use of lithium‑6 in the blanket modules. The IAEA [International Atomic Energy Agency] will be important in ensuring non-proliferation safeguards and oversight.

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ITER

The International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) is (from its Wikipedia entry), Note: Links have been removed,

ITER (initially the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor, iter meaning “the way” or “the path” in Latin)^[4][5][6] is an international nuclear fusion research and engineering megaproject aimed at creating energy through a fusion process similar to that of the Sun. It is being built next to the Cadarache facility in southern France.^[7][8] Upon completion of the main reactor and first plasma, planned for 2033–2034,^[9][10] ITER will be the largest of more than 100 fusion reactors built since the 1950s, with six times the plasma volume of JT-60SA in Japan, the largest tokamak operating today.^[11][12][13]

The long-term goal of fusion research is to generate electricity; ITER’s stated purpose is scientific research, and technological demonstration of a large fusion reactor, without electricity generation.^[14][11] ITER’s goals are to achieve enough fusion to produce 10 times as much thermal output power as thermal power absorbed by the plasma for short time periods; to demonstrate and test technologies that would be needed to operate a fusion power plant including cryogenics, heating, control and diagnostics systems, and remote maintenance; to achieve and learn from a burning plasma; to test tritium breeding; and to demonstrate the safety of a fusion plant.^[12][8]

ITER is funded and operated by seven member parties: China, the European Union, India, Japan, Russia, South Korea and the United States. In the immediate aftermath of Brexit, the United Kingdom continued to participate in ITER through the EU’s Fusion for Energy (F4E) program until September 2023.^[15][1][2] Switzerland participated through Euratom and F4E until 2021,^[16] though it is poised to rejoin in 2026 following subsequent negotiations with the EU.^[17][18] ITER also has cooperation agreements with Australia, Canada, Kazakhstan and Thailand.^[19]

Construction of the ITER complex in France started in 2013,^[20] and assembly of the tokamak began in 2020.^[21] The initial budget was close to €6 billion, but the total price of construction and operations is projected to be from €18 to €22 billion;^[22][23] other estimates place the total cost between $45 billion and $65 billion, though these figures are disputed by ITER.^[24][25] Regardless of the final cost, ITER has already been described as the most expensive science experiment of all time,^[26] the most complicated engineering project in human history,^[27] and one of the most ambitious human collaborations since the development of the International Space Station (€100 billion or $150 billion budget) and the Large Hadron Collider (€7.5 billion budget).^{[note 1][28][29]}

ITER’s planned successor, the EUROfusion-led DEMO, is expected to be one of the first fusion reactors to produce electricity in an experimental environment.^[30]

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Tokamak

As this comes up again in the next section, here’s more about the tokamak from its Wikipedia entry, Note: Links have been removed,

A tokamak (/ˈtoʊkəmæk/; Russian: токамáк) is a device which uses a powerful magnetic field generated by external magnets to confine plasma in the shape of an axially symmetrical torus.^[1] The tokamak is one of several types of magnetic confinement devices being developed to produce controlled thermonuclear fusion power. The tokamak concept is currently one of the leading candidates for a practical fusion reactor for providing minimally polluting electrical power.^[2]

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Now, the ITER news

An April 30, 2025 news item on phys.org announces a new development at ITER,

In a landmark achievement for fusion energy, ITER has completed all components for the world’s largest, most powerful pulsed superconducting electromagnet system.

ITER is an international collaboration of more than 30 countries to demonstrate the viability of fusion—the power of the sun and stars—as an abundant, safe, carbon-free energy source for the planet.

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An April 30, 2025 ITER press release on EurekAlert, which originated the news item, provides more details about the achievement,

The final component was the sixth module of the Central Solenoid, built and tested in the United States. When it is assembled at the ITER site in Southern France, the Central Solenoid will be the system’s most powerful magnet, strong enough to lift an aircraft carrier.

The Central Solenoid will work in tandem with six ring-shaped Poloidal Field (PF) magnets, built and delivered by Russia, Europe, and China.

The fully assembled pulsed magnet system will weigh nearly 3,000 tons. It will function as the electromagnetic heart of ITER’s donut-shaped reactor, called a Tokamak.

How does this pulsed superconducting electromagnet system work?

Step 1. A few grams of hydrogen fuel—deuterium and tritium gas—are injected into ITER’s gigantic Tokamak chamber.

Step 2. The pulsed magnet system sends an electrical current to ionize the hydrogen gas, creating a plasma, a cloud of charged particles.

Step 3. The magnets create an “invisible cage” that confines and shapes the ionized plasma.

Step 4. External heating systems raise the plasma temperature to 150 million degrees Celsius, ten times hotter than the core of the sun.

Step 5. At this temperature, the atomic nuclei of plasma particles combine and fuse, releasing massive heat energy.

A tenfold energy gain

At full operation, ITER is expected to produce 500 megawatts of fusion power from only 50 megawatts of input heating power, a tenfold gain. At this level of efficiency, the fusion reaction largely self-heats, becoming a “burning plasma.”

By integrating all the systems needed for fusion at industrial scale, ITER is serving as a massive, complex research laboratory for its 30-plus member countries, providing the knowledge and data needed to optimize commercial fusion power.

A global model

ITER’s geopolitical achievement is also remarkable: the sustained collaboration of ITER’s seven members—China, Europe, India, Japan, Korea, Russia, and the United States. Thousands of scientists and engineers have contributed components from hundreds of factories on three continents to build a single machine.

Pietro Barabaschi, ITER Director-General, says, “What makes ITER unique is not only its technical complexity but the framework of international cooperation that has sustained it through changing political landscapes.”

“This achievement proves that when humanity faces existential challenges like climate change and energy security, we can overcome national differences to advance solutions.”

“The ITER Project is the embodiment of hope. With ITER, we show that a sustainable energy future and a peaceful path forward are possible.”

Major progress

In 2024, ITER reached 100 percent of its construction targets. With most of the major components delivered, the ITER Tokamak is now in assembly phase. In April 2025, the first vacuum vessel sector module was inserted into the Tokamak Pit, about 3 weeks ahead of schedule.

Extending collaboration to the private sector

The past five years have witnessed a surge in private sector investment in fusion energy R&D. In November 2023, the ITER Council recognized the value and opportunity represented by this trend.

They encouraged the ITER Organization and its Domestic Agencies to actively engage with the private sector, to transfer ITER’s accumulated knowledge to accelerate progress toward making fusion a reality.

In 2024, ITER launched a private sector fusion engagement project, with multiple channels for sharing knowledge, documentation, data, and expertise, as well as collaboration on R&D. This tech transfer initiative includes sharing information on ITER’s global fusion supply chain, another way to return value to Member governments and their companies.

In April 2025, ITER hosted a public-private workshop to collaborate on the best technological innovation to solve fusion’s remaining challenges.

The ITER experiment under construction in southern France. The tokamak building is the mirrored structure at center. Courtesy ITER Organization/EJF Riche.

How have ITER’s Members contributed to this achievement?

Under the ITER Agreement, Members contribute most of the cost of building ITER in the form of building and supplying components. This arrangement means that financing from each Member goes primarily to their own companies, to manufacture ITER’s challenging technology. In doing so, these companies also drive innovation and gain expertise, creating a global fusion supply chain.

Europe, as the Host Member, contributes 45 percent of the cost of the ITER Tokamak and its support systems. China, India, Japan, Korea, Russia, and the United States each contribute 9 percent, but all Members get access to 100 percent of the intellectual property.

United States

The United States has built the Central Solenoid, made of six modules, plus a spare.

The U.S. has also delivered to ITER the “exoskeleton” support structure that will enable the Central Solenoid to withstand the extreme forces it will generate. The exoskeleton is comprised of more than 9,000 individual parts, manufactured by eight U.S. suppliers.

Additionally, the U.S. has fabricated about 8 percent of the Niobium-Tin (Nb3Sn) superconductors used in ITER’s Toroidal Field magnets.

Russia

Russia has delivered the 9-meter-diameter ring-shaped Poloidal Field magnet that will crown the top of the ITER Tokamak.

Working closely with Europe, Russia has also produced approximately 120 tonnes of Niobium-Titanium (NbTi) superconductors, comprising about 40 percent of the total required for ITER’s Poloidal Field magnets.

Additionally, Russia has produced about 20 percent of the Niobium-Tin (Nb3Sn) superconductors for ITER’s Toroidal Field magnets.

And Russia has manufactured the giant busbars that will deliver power to the magnets at the required voltage and amperage, as well as the upper port plugs for ITER’s vacuum vessel sectors.

Europe

Europe has manufactured four of the ring-shaped Poloidal Field magnets onsite in France, ranging from 17 to 24 meters in diameter.

Europe has worked closely with Russia to manufacture the Niobium-Titanium (NbTi) superconductors used in PF magnets 1 and 6.

Europe has also delivered 10 of ITER’s Toroidal Field magnets and has produced a substantial portion of the Niobium-Tin (Nb3Sn) superconductors used in these TF magnets.

And Europe is creating five of the nine sectors of the Tokamak vacuum vessel, the donut-shaped chamber where fusion will take place.

China

China, under an arrangement with Europe, has manufactured a 10-metre Poloidal Field magnet. It has already been installed at the bottom of the partially assembled ITER Tokamak.

China has also contributed the Niobium-Titanium (NbTi) superconductors for PF magnets 2, 3, 4, and 5, about 65 percent of the PF magnet total—plus about 8 percent of the Toroidal Field magnet superconductors.

Additionally, China is contributing 18 superconducting Correction Coil magnets, positioned around the Tokamak to fine-tune the plasma reactions.

China has delivered the 31 magnet feeders, the multi-lane thruways that will deliver the electricity to power ITER’s electromagnets as well as the liquid helium to cool the magnets to -269 degrees Celsius, the temperature needed for superconductivity.

Japan

Japan has produced and sent to the United States the 43 kilometers of Niobium-Tin (Nb3Sn) superconductor strand that was used to create the Central Solenoid modules.

Japan has also produced 8 of the 18 Toroidal Field (TF) magnets, plus a spare—as well as all the casing structures for the TF magnets.

Japan also produced 25 percent of the Niobium-Tin (Nb3Sn) superconductors that went into the Toroidal Field magnets.

Korea

Korea has produced the tooling used to pre-assemble ITER’s largest components, enabling ITER to fit the Toroidal Field coils and thermal shields to the vacuum vessel sectors with millimetric precision.

Korea has also manufactured 20 percent of the Niobium-Tin (Nb3Sn) superconductors for the Toroidal Field magnets.

Additionally, Korea has manufactured the thermal shields that provide a physical barrier between the ultra-hot fusion plasma and the ultra-cold magnets.

And Korea has delivered four of the nine sectors of the Tokamak vacuum vessel.

India

India has fabricated the ITER Cryostat, the 30-metre high, 30-metre diameter thermos that houses the entire ITER Tokamak.

India has also provided the cryolines that distribute the liquid helium to cool ITER’s magnets.

Additionally, India has been responsible for delivering ITER’s cooling water system, the in-wall shielding of the Tokamak, and multiple parts of the external plasma heating systems.

In total, ITER’s magnet systems will comprise 10,000 tons of superconducting magnets, with a combined stored magnetic energy of 51 Gigajoules. The raw material to fabricate these magnets consisted of more than 100,000 kilometers of superconducting strand, fabricated in 9 factories in six countries.

* * *

What are the technical specifications for each of ITER’s magnet systems?

Central Solenoid (cylindrical magnet)

Height: 18 meters (59 feet)
Diameter: 4.25 meters (14 feet)
Weight: ~1,000 tonnes
Magnetic field strength: 13 Tesla (280,000 times stronger than the Earth’s magnetic field)
Stored magnetic energy: 6.4 Gigajoules
Will initiate and sustain a plasma current of 15 MA for 300-500 second pulses
Fabricated in the United States
Material: Niobium-tin (Nb₃Sn) superconducting strand produced in Japan
Cooling: operated at 4.5 Kelvin (-269°C) using liquid helium cryogenics to maintain superconductivity
Structure (exoskeleton): built to withstand 100 MN (meganewtons) of force—equivalent to twice the thrust of a space shuttle launch.

Poloidal Field Magnets (ring-shaped magnets)

Diameters: varying in range from 9 meters (PF1) to 10 meters (PF6) to 17 meters (PF2, PF5) to 25 meters (PF3, PF4)
Weight: from 160 to 400 tonnes
Fabricated in Russia, Europe (France) and China
Material: niobium-titanium (NbTi) superconducting strand produced in Europe, China, and Russia
Cooling: operated at 4.5 Kelvin (-269°C) using liquid helium cryogenics to maintain superconductivity

Toroidal Field Coils (D-shaped magnets, completed in late 2023)

Each coil: 17 meters high × 9 meters wide
Weight: ~360 tonnes each
Fabricated in Europe (Italy) and Japan
Material: niobium-tin (Nb3Sn) superconducting strand produced in Europe, Korea, Russia, and the United States
Cooling: operated at 4.5 Kelvin (-269°C) using liquid helium to maintain superconductivity

Correction Coils and Magnet Feeders

Correction Coils: manufactured by China; critical for fine plasma stability adjustments.
Magnet Feeders: deliver cryogenics, electrical power, and instrumentation signals to the magnets; also produced by China

Vancouver’s (Canada) General Fusion news

Recently, there have been some big ups and downs for General Fusion as this May 5, 2025 General Fusion news release written as an open letter from the company’s Chief Executive Office (CEO), Greg Twinney

General Fusion has been at the forefront of fusion technology development for more than 20 years. Today, we stand as a world leader on the cusp of our most exciting technical milestone yet—and one of the most challenging financial moments in our history. We are closer than ever to delivering practical fusion, but success depends on securing the right financing partners to carry this breakthrough forward.

On April 29th [2025], we achieved a transformative milestone at our Vancouver, B.C., headquarters in Canada—we successfully compressed a large-scale magnetized plasma with lithium using our world-first LM26 fusion demonstration machine. The full, integrated system and diagnostics operated safely and as designed, and an early review of the data indicates we saw ion temperature and density increase, and our lithium liner successfully trapped the magnetic field. This was an incredible success for our first shot! What does this mean? From a technology perspective, we’re one step closer to bringing zero-carbon fusion energy to the electricity grid using our unique, home-grown Canadian technology that global industry leaders recognize as one of the most practical for commercialization.

Our incredible, innovative, and nimble team achieved these results about a year and a half after we launched the LM26 fusion demonstration program—designing, building, commissioning, optimizing, and operating on a rapid timeline with constrained capital. LM26 is the only machine of its kind in the world, designed and built to achieve the technical results required to scale a fusion technology to a practical power plant. It is backed by peer-reviewed scientific results published in 2024 and 2025 issues of Nuclear Fusion, making us one of only four private fusion companies in the world to have achieved and published meaningful fusion results on the path to scientific breakeven. We are also the only one with the machine already built to get there. Truly, there has never been a more promising time to be at—or invest in—General Fusion.

General Fusion has been around the block. We’ve proven a lot with a lean budget. We’re not a shiny new start-up with a drawing and a dream; we are experienced fusioneers with a clear view of the path to success and the machine to prove it. We’ve built a global network of partners and early adopters focused on a fusion technology—Magnetized Target Fusion—that is durable, cost-effective, fuel-sustainable, and practical. We are ready to execute our plan but are caught in an economic and geopolitical environment that is forcing us to wait.

Keeping a fusion company funded in today’s world requires more than just meaningful capital. It takes ambition, steadfast patience, a bold national vision aligned with the opportunity, and constant refreshing of the investor base as timelines stretch beyond typical fund horizons. Our mission has historically been supported financially by a mix of strong private investors and the Canadian federal government. We have been competing against aggressive nationally funded fusion programs around the world. We have risen to global leadership by charting a distinct course—founded on entrepreneurship and commercial focus—while others follow government-led or academic pathways. However, today’s funding landscape is more challenging than ever as investors and governments navigate a rapidly shifting and uncertain political and market climate.

This rapidly shifting environment has directly and immediately impacted our funding. Therefore, as a result of unexpected and urgent financing constraints, we are taking action now to protect our future with our game-changing technology and IP—including reducing both the size of our team and LM26 operations—while we navigate this difficult environment. We’re doing what resilient teams do and what we have done before: refocus, protect what matters, and keep building.

While this is a challenging time for General Fusion, it is also an attractive opportunity for those with the financial means to transform the world. Everything is in place—the technology, science, LM26, and the know-how and passion. All we need now is the capital to finish the job. We are opening our doors and actively seeking strategic options with investors, buyers, governments, and others who share our vision. Reach out now and become part of the future of energy.

Greg Twinney

Chief Executive Officer
General Fusion, Inc.

Twinney also gave a May 8, 2025 radio interview(approximately 7 mins.) to Stephen Quinn of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s (CBC) Early Edition.

May 8, 2025

General Fusion CEO, Greg Twinney tells Stephen Quinn how his company has made big breakthroughs in fusion energy – and how market chaos caused by President Trump has made it hard to find investors.

The interview provides an introduction to fusion energy and the company while this May 5, 2025 article by John Fingas for Betakit fills in some details, Note: Links have been removed,

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In a statement, General Fusion told BetaKit it was looking for $125 million USD (about $172.7 million CAD) to fulfill its goals. While the company didn’t share the scope of the layoffs, The Globe and Mail reported that the company let go of a quarter of staff.

General Fusion created its first magnetized plasma, which is needed for its fusion reactions, at its LM26 demonstration facility in March [2025], and conducted a large-scale test on April 29. It still plans to create plasma at a hotter 10 million C within months, and eventually to reach the 100-million-degree mark needed to achieve a “scientific breakeven equivalent” where LM26 could generate more energy than required for the reaction.

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The company ultimately hopes to deploy reactors based on its Magnetized Target Fusion technology, which creates fusion conditions in short pulses, by the mid-2030s. The technique theoretically costs less than the lasers or superconducting magnets used in designs like Tokamak reactors, and could be used in facilities close to the cities they serve. One 300-megawatt electrical plant powered by fusion could provide enough continuous power for 150,000 Canadian homes, the company claims.

The company has raised about $440 million CAD so far, including $69 million from the Government of Canada. Some of its private investors include Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, Shopify founder Tobi Lütke, and engineering consultancy Hatch. Bob Smith, the former CEO of Bezos’s spaceflight company Blue Origin, became a strategic advisor for General Fusion in early April [2025].

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“We’re not a shiny new startup with a drawing and a dream; we are experienced fusioneers with a clear view of the path to success and the machine to prove it,” he [Greg Twinney, General Fusion CEO] said.

It seems logical to follow with this:

Business investments and fusion energy

First, here’s more about the agency, which released a 2025 report on investments in fusion energy. The European Union (EU) has created an organization known as Fusion for Energy (F4E), from its Wikipedia entry, Note: Links have been removed,

Fusion for Energy (F4E) is a joint undertaking of the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) that is responsible for the EU’s contribution to the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), the world’s largest scientific partnership aiming to demonstrate fusion as a viable and sustainable source of energy. The organisation is officially named European Joint Undertaking for ITER and the Development of Fusion Energy and was created under article 45 of the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community by the decision of the Council of the European Union on 27 March 2007 for a period of 35 years.^[1]

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F4E recently released a report “Global investment in fusion private sector, 1^st edition, Cutoff: 10 June 2025,” from the June 12, 2025 F4E press release,

The F4E Fusion Observatory has published its first-ever report, an analysis of global investment in the fusion private sector. Based on a collection of all available data, the analysis provides a picture of who is investing and where, showing rapid growth and significant geographical differences.

The figures reveal a sharp increase in investments in fusion start-ups in recent years. The total amount has grown from just over 1.5 billion EUR in 2020 to an estimated 9.9 billion EUR at present (June 2025), doubling in the last two years alone [emphasis mine]. The investment remains concentrated in the US, host of most private companies (38 out of 67), absorbing 60% of global funding. China comes second at 25%, with fewer projects (6) backed by large public funds [emphasis mine].

Meanwhile, Europe takes a smaller share of investment (5%) [emphasis mine], with Germany leading the continent at 460 M EUR million, just above the UK, at 416 M EUR. Among the EU’s seven private companies, the largest sums are received by Marvel Fusion and Focused Energy. F4E can support these emerging players by leveraging on its experience in large projects and knowledge of the market. For this purpose, F4E has an ongoing call inviting EU-based private fusion initiatives to collaborate.

The analysis goes on to present the origin and profile of the investors. While US funding is largely led by venture capital firms or big tech, those in the EU show a more even distribution between public and private investors.

As for the kinds of fusion concepts, magnetic confinement takes the lion’s share of global investment, at €6,1 billion, predominantly for Tokamaks (doughnut-shaped devices, similar to ITER). However, in Europe, inertial confinement technologies are the most funded in the private sector.

By contrast, when considering the public funding used for the in-kind contributions to ITER, the geographic distribution is rebalanced. The €6.8 billion invested by F4E in the EU supply chain is larger than other regions due to the EU’s larger share of the ITER project. This contribution has shaped a strong European industry, capable of delivering complex technologies for fusion. That said, investment in the supply chain, while substantial, has a different impact than equity in a fast-scaling fusion company.

The findings of the report will be discussed at the F4E Roundtable, a key stakeholder forum hosted this week by F4E in Barcelona. With these data-based insights, the F4E Observatory aims to support the policy conversation and help steer it towards the future EU fusion strategy.

Download the report here

It seems that Canadian fusion efforts are not on the EU’s radar.

Wrapping up

To state the obvious, it’s an exciting and volatile time. In addition to this latest breakthrough at ITER, my April 11, 2025 posting “The nuclear fusion energy race” covers some of what were then the latest international technical breakthroughs along with some coverage of how President Donald Trump’s tariffs were creating uncertainty for investors and, also, Bob Smith’s, former CEO of Jeff Bezos’ spaceflight company Blue Origin, recent appointment as a strategic advisor for General Fusion.

I wish General Fusion good luck in finding new investors and, while it’s not a perfect energy solution, I wish all the researchers the best as they race to find ways to produce energy more sustainably.

One last comment, it’s easy to forget in a time when Russia is conducting a war with Ukraine and Israel is conducting an ever evolving action against Palestine, Iran, and more that cooperation amongst ‘enemies’ is possible. The list of ITER full members (United States, Russia, Europe, China, Japan, Korea, India, Note: There are other member categories) is a reminder that even countries that often work at cross purposes can work together.

UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) launches International Year of Quantum Science and Technology 2025 (IYQ 2025) on February 4 & 5, 2025 à Paris

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This January 31, 2025 UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) event notice (almost identical January 28, 2025 UNESCO press invite received via email) on indico.un.org offers details about this (more or less) two day affair,

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The Opening Ceremony

The Opening Ceremony of the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ) will be held from 4-5 February 2025 at UNESCO Headquarters. It marks the official commencement of a global initiative dedicated to advancing quantum science and its transformative applications. As the lead agency for IYQ, UNESCO aims to maximize the visibility of IYQ and the transformative potential of quantum science and technology in addressing critical global challenges. It will serve as a platform for the exchange of ideas, allowing participants to showcase best practices in quantum science education, research, and industry applications. It will provide an opportunity to inspire interdisciplinary and cross-regional cooperation and to address disparities between the Global North and South while inspiring inclusive innovation. The opening ceremony will also highlight the importance of integrating ethics and responsible innovation into the core of discussions.

The Exhibition

An exhibition will run alongside the event to celebrate the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology. Visitors can explore cutting-edge displays that showcase quantum science breakthroughs, innovative applications, and future possibilities. This interactive experience is designed to engage audiences and inspire a deeper appreciation for quantum technologies. The exhibition will be held in Salle des Actes and Salle des Pas Perdus from 3–7 February 2025 and is open throughout the day for all attendees to visit.

The Opening Ceremony and the Exhibition is open to the public and everyone is invited! Please join us!

Important Notice

Please note the dates and times of the Opening Ceremony and exhibition carefully to plan your visit. As the Opening Ceremony spans two days, we kindly ask you to specify during registration whether you will attend on February 4 [2025], February 5 [2025], or both days. Additionally, the exhibition will run from February 3–7, 2025, providing flexibility for your visit. Your timely registration helps us ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for all attendees.

Day 1 Opening Ceremony: The Day 1 Opening Ceremony will take place on February 4, 2025, in Room I, UNESCO Headquarters, 125 Avenue de Suffren, Paris, France. The event starts at 10:00 AM, with doors opening at 8:30 AM and welcome coffee served from 9:30 AM.

Day 2 Opening Ceremony: The Day 2 Opening Ceremony will take place on February 5, 2025, in Room II, UNESCO Headquarters, 125 Avenue de Suffren, Paris, France. The event starts at 9:30 AM, with doors opening at 8:00 AM and welcome coffee served from 9:00 AM.

Exhibition: A special exhibition showcasing quantum science and its revolutionary applications will be held in Salle des Actes and Salle des Pas Perdus from February 3–7, 2025. The exhibition will be open throughout the day, providing attendees an engaging and interactive experience.

There is a registration form for attending the two day opening ceremony, there’s also a registration form for exhibitors and you can find both here. The deadline for both registrations is February 2, 2025.

I have more details about the opening ceremonies from a preliminary programme (PDF),

Day 1
4 February 2025
Room I

09:00-10:00 Registration, coffee

10:00 – 10:55 Opening Session

The opening session will set the tone for the International Year of Quantum Science and
Technology, emphasizing the significance of quantum advancements in shaping our
future. Leaders and experts will highlight the global importance of fostering innovation
and international collaboration.

10:00-10:05 Promotional Video of the International Year
10:05-10:10 Opening
Ms Hayley Edmonds, master of ceremony
10:10-10:20 Welcome Address
Ms Lidia BRITO, Assistant Director-General for Natural
Sciences at UNESCO
10:10-10:25 High-Level Remarks
Minister of Science, Humanities, Technology and Innovation of
the United Mexican States(tbc)
H.E. Amb. Simona-Mirela Miculescu, President of the 42nd
session of the General Conference
Mr Cephas Adjej MENSAH, Director of Research, Statistics and
Information Management, on behalf of the Minister for
Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation of the
Republic of Ghana
10:25-10:55 Keynote Address
“Watching The Quantum World With Ultrashort Light Pulses”
Prof. Anne L’HUILLIER, Physicist and 2023 Nobel Laureate in
Physics, Sweden/France

10:55 -11:00 Group Photo

11:00-11:50 Fireside Chat: Shaping a Sustainable Future for Global Development

This engaging fireside chat will delve into the ways quantum technologies can
contribute to a more inclusive and equitable world. Panelists will discuss strategies to
bridge the global divide and ensure that the benefits of quantum advancements are
shared widely.

Moderator: Ms Catarina ROLFSDOTTER-JANSSON, journalist, Moderator, TV-program
host, Sweden
▪ Ms Samia Charfi KADDOUR, Professor of Physics at the Faculty of Science of Tunis,
University of Tunis El Manar; former Director General of Scientific Research at the
Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research; Tunisia
▪ Prof. Ana Maria CETTO, Professor at the Institute of Physics, the Director of the
Museum of Light at the National University of Mexico, the United Mexican States
▪ Prof. John DOYLE, Henry B. Silsbee Professor of Physics at Harvard University,
President of the American Physical Society; the United States of America

11:50-12:40 Roundtable Discussion: Pushing the Frontiers of Quantum Science and Technology

Discover groundbreaking research and innovations that are pushing the boundaries of
quantum science. This discussion will highlight the latest advancements and how they
are shaping tomorrow’s technologies.

Moderator: Ms Maricela MUNOZ, Director External Affairs, Geneva Science and Diplomacy
Anticipator (GESDA), Switzerland

▪ Dr Dave SMITH, National Technology Adviser, on behalf of the Minister of State for
Science, Research and Innovation, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern
Ireland
▪ Prof. Alain ASPECT, Physicist and 2022 Nobel Laureate in Physics, France
▪ Prof. Stephanie SIMMONS, Founder & Chief Quantum Officer at Photonic, Co-Chair
of Canada’s National Quantum Advisory, Canada [still a professor at Simon Fraser University?]
▪ Prof. Jian Wei PAN, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences; Vice
Chancellor, University of Science and Technology of China, China

12:40-12:50 Music Performance

12:50-1400 Lunch
Hall Segur, le Foyer and the Restaurant on the 7th floor of the UNESCO

14:00-14;50 Panel Discussion and Public Engagement and Education in Quantum Science and Technology

Explore the critical role of public engagement and education in demystifying quantum
science and inspiring the next generation. Panelists will discuss initiatives that make
quantum concepts accessible to diverse audiences and highlight the importance of
inclusivity in science education.

Moderator: Prof. Emily EDWARDS, Associate Research Professor in the Department of
Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Duke Quantum Center, United States of America
▪ Prof. Andrzej SZEPTYCKI, Undersecretary of State, Ministry of Science and Higher
Education of Poland
▪ Prof. Jacquiline ROMERO, Associate Professor, Reader and Westpac Research
Fellow, School of Mathematics and Physics, University of Queensland Australia/the
Republic of the Philippines.
▪ Dr Yaseera ISMAIL, Senior lecturer, Department of Physics at Stellenbosch University,
South Africa
▪ Ms Elisa Torres DURNEY, CEO of Girls in Quantum; Chile
▪ Dr John DONOHUE, Senior Manager of Scientific Outreach at the Institute for
Quantum Computing, University of Waterloo; Canada

14:50-15:40 Roundtable Discussion: Policy and Innovation in Quantum Science for Advancing Global Goals for Sustainable Development

This session will explore how policies and innovation in quantum science can be
aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. The discussion will
focus on harnessing quantum advancements for climate action, economic growth, and
societal well-being.

Moderator: Prof. Luiz DAVIDOVICH, Professor Emeritus at the Federal University of Rio de
Janeiro; Distinguished fellow at the Institute for Quantum Science and Engineering of the
University of Texas A&M [Texas A&M University], Brazil
▪ Mr. Seizo ONOE, Director, Telecommunication Standardization Bureau, International
Telecommunication Union
▪ Prof. Serge HAROCHE, Physicist and 2012 Nobel Laureate in Physics, France
▪ Dr Najwa AARAJ, CEO of Technology Innovation Institute, UAE
▪ Prof. Tommaso CALARCO, Director of the Institute for Quantum Control in Jülich,
Coordinator of EU Quantum Flagship; Germany/Italy
▪ Dr Cathy FOLEY, Board member of the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial
Research Organisation of Australia

15:40-16:35 Networking Session
Coffee Break

16:35-17:45 Insight Talk by Nobel Laureate on Quantum Mechanics 2025: Incredible Past, Amazing Present, Magnificent Future

Be inspired by the insights of Prof. William D. Phillips, 1997 Nobel Laureate in Physics,
as he shares his unique perspective on the wonders of quantum science. This engaging
session allows attendees to interact with one of the field’s most esteemed figures.

Moderator: Prof. Rosario FAZIO, Head of the Condensed Matter and Statistical Physics
Section, the Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics

Speaker: Prof. William D. PHILLIPS, Physicist and 1997 Nobel Laureate in Physics, United
States of America

17:05-18:05 Voices from the Industry: The Challenge of Developing Quantum at Scale

This panel will address the challenges and opportunities of scaling quantum
technologies for practical use. Industry leaders will share their experiences in bringing
quantum research to market, showcasing groundbreaking developments in this field.

Moderator: Dr. Celia MERZBACHER, Executive Director of the Quantum Economic
Development Consortium (QED-C)
▪ Ms Katie PIZZOLATO, Vice President of Quantum Algorithms and Scientific
Partnerships, IBM
▪ Dr Krysta SVORE, Technical Fellow, Microsoft
▪ Dr Rajeeb HAZRA, CEO of Quantinuum
▪ Dr Grégoire RIBORDY, CEO of ID Quantique
▪ Prof. Alexander LING, Principal Investigator, Centre for Quantum Technologies,
Associate Professor, Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, National University of
Singapore; Co-founder of SpeQtral & S-Fifteen Instruments, Singapore.
▪ Dr Takuya Kitagawa, President, QuEra

18:05-18:25 UNESCO’s Role in Reducing the Quantum Divide: Advancing Global Innovation and Inclusion

This session highlights UNESCO’s commitment to reducing the global quantum divide
by fostering innovation, building capacities, and advancing inclusion between the
Global North and South. It emphasizes the transformative potential of quantum science
and technology while ensuring its ethical and responsible applications. By bridging
technical gaps and promoting equity, UNESCO reaffirms its dedication to leveraging
quantum technologies for sustainable and inclusive development.

Host: Ms Lidia BRITO, Assistant Director-General for Natural Sciences, UNESCO
▪ Ms Dafna FEINHOLZ, Director a.i. Division of Research, Ethics
and Inclusion, Social and Human Sciences Sector, UNESCO
▪ Mr. Guilherme CANELA DE SOUZA GODOI, Director of
Division for Digital Inclusion and Policies and Digital
Transformation (CI/DPT) and Secretary of the Information for All
Programme (IFAP), Communication and Information Sector,
UNESCO
▪ Mr Atish DABHOLKAR, Director of the Abdus Salam
International Centre for Theoretical Physics, UNESCO

18:25-18:30 Day one Concluding Notes

Sir Peter KNIGHT, Professor, Blackett Laboratory, Imperial College London, Chair of the
Quantum Metrology Institute, National Physical Laboratory, co-chair of the Steering Committee
of the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology, United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Northern Ireland.

Day 2
5 February 2025
Room II

09:00-09:30 Welcome Coffee

09:30-09:45 Introductory Session

Begin the day with reflections on the importance of ethics in quantum science and its
role in shaping responsible innovation and inclusive governance, setting the tone for
the day’s discussions.

09:30-09:35 Welcome address by the Master of Ceremonies
Ms Hayley EDMONDS, journalist, France
09:35-09:40 Introductory remarks (video meesage)
Ms Gabriela RAMOS, Assistant Director-General of Social and
Human Sciences, UNESCO
09:40-09:45 Scene Setting Allocution
Prof. Yasser OMAR, Theoretical Physicist, IST, University of
Lisbon & President of PQI – Portuguese Quantum Institutel

09:45-10:45 Panel Discussion: Ethics of Quantum Technologies

This panel will explore the ethical challenges of quantum advancements and the need
for an anticipatory approach and a global reflection to understand the potential benefits
and risks of these powerful technologies. Panelists will discuss why an ethical and
human rights-based framework is essential to ensure ethical guardrails while enabling
responsible innovation.

09:45-09:50 Scene Setting Allocution
Prof. Pieter VERMAAS, Philosopher and Head of the Quantum
Lab, Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management of TU Delft,
and Lead of ethics research, Dutch Quantum Delta, Kingdom of
the Netherlands
09:50-10:35 Panel Discussion ’
Moderator: Mr Diederick CROESE, Director of the Centre for Quantum and Society, Quantum
Delta NL, Kingdom of the Netherlands
▪ Prof. Emma RUTTKAMP-BLOEM, Professor and Head of the Department of
Philosophy, Faculty of Humanities at the University of Pretoria, Chairperson of the
UNESCO World Commission on the Ethics of Scientific Knowledge and Technology
(COMEST), South Africa
▪ Professor Sang Wook YI, Professor of Philosophy, Hanyang University, Chairperson,
Division of Ethics and Safety, National High-Level Committee for AI Strategies, Rapporteur of the UNESCO World Commission on the Ethics of Scientific Knowledge
and Technology (COMEST), Republic of Korea
▪ Prof. Karina Garay PALMETT, Senior Researcher, Department of Optics of the
Division of Applied Physics of the Center for Scientific Research and Higher Education
at Ensenada, the United Mexican States
▪ Prof. Shohini GHOSE, Professor of Physics and Computer Science at Wilfrid Laurier
University and Chief Technology Officer, Quantum Algorithms Institute, Canada
▪ Prof. Anil PRABHAKAR, Professor at the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, and
Co-Founder of QuNu Labs and Quanfluence, India

10:35-10:45 Q&A session

This panel focuses on fostering responsible innovation in quantum science to ensure
its alignment with global ethical standards and sustainable development goals.
This panel will discuss strategies, challenges, and opportunities for integrating
responsibility into the research and deployment of quantum technologies. Panelists will
focus on concrete ways to create responsible and inclusive innovation systems and
how open-source applications can be promoted to prevent further widening digital
divides.

11:05-11:10 Scene Setting Allocution
Prof. Matthias C. KETTEMANN, Professor of Innovation,
Theory and Philosophy of Law, University of Innsbruck, and
Director of the Innsbruck Quantum Ethics Lab, Member of the
UNESCO World Commission on the Ethics of Scientific
Knowledge and Technology (COMEST), Republic of Austria

11:10-12:00 Panel Discussion

Moderator: Mr Diederick CROESE, Director of the Centre for Quantum and Society, Quantum
Delta NL, Kingdom of the Netherlands
▪ Dr Mira Luca WOLF-BAUWENS, Responsible Quantum Computing Lead in the
Responsible & Inclusive Technology Team, IBM Research, Switzerland
▪ Dr. Prince OSEI, Lead Scientist & Director for Quantum Leap Africa, President of the
African Institute for Mathematical Sciences, Ghana
▪ Prof. Farida FASSI, Professor of Physics at the Faculty of Sciences, Mohammed V
University in Rabat, Member of African Academy of Sciences, Morocco
▪ Prof. Matthias C. KETTEMANN, Professor of Innovation, Theory and Philosophy of
Law, University of Innsbruck, and Director of the Innsbruck Quantum Ethics Lab,
Member of the UNESCO World Commission on the Ethics of Scientific Knowledge and
Technology (COMEST), Republic of Austria
▪ Prof. Yasser OMAR, Theoretical Physicist, President of IST, University of Lisbon &
PQI – Portuguese Quantum Institute, Portugal

12:00-12:10 Q&A session

12:10-12:30 Closing of Day 2 and the Launch of the International Year

Celebrate the successful completion of Day 2 of the Opening Ceremony and the launch
of the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology with reflections from
UNESCO’s leadership and closing cultural performances. Final remarks will emphasise
the global importance of quantum advancements and the collaborative efforts needed
to harness their full potential.

12:10-12:15 Concluding notes of Day Two
Ms Claudia REINPRECHT, Focal point of the Austrian Ministry
of Foreign Affairs in digital and tech diplomacy and for the EU
Digital Diplomacy Network, Republic of Austria

12:15-12:25 Closing of the Launch of the International of the Year
Quantum Science and Technology
Ms Dafna FEINHOLZ, Director a.i. Division of Research, Ethics
and Inclusion, Social and Human Sciences Sector, UNESCO
Ms Lidia BRITO, Assistant Director-General of Natural Sciences,
UNESCO

Side-Exhibition

An exhibition for the IYQ will be held on Salle des Actes and Salle des Pas Perdus.

I have posted this as a prelude (of sorts) to my commentary on the November 2023 Council of Canadian Academies’ report, Quantum Potential.

The International Year of Quantum Science and Technology website is here.

ETA: On February 3, 2025 all tags added except ‘UNESCO’ and ‘International Year of Quantum Science and Technology’, which were included when previously published.

A science slam held at the Cochin University of Science and Technology (Cusat) in India

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I know it’s a little dated but, many years ago, I worked with someone from Kerala and have maintained interest in the Indian state. This science outreach project sounds like they’ve crossed elements of a poetry slam with a Café Scientifique. Here’s a little more about the science slam from a November 10, 2024 article in The Hindu,

Would Kochi turn into an island? Is global warming likely to transform Kochi into something unrecognisable? These were among the several questions posed, and answered lucidly by young science researchers at the Science Slam at the Cochin University of Science and Technology (Cusat) organised by the science portal Luca run by the Kerala Sasthra Sahithya Parishad on Saturday [November 9, 2024].

In all, 25 topics were presented by these researchers in the most simple fashion. The topics included the science of sonar, a genetic study of the giant African snail’s return to Kerala, exploration of planets outside the solar system, the use of nanotechnology in cancer treatment, an environment-friendly alternative for food security, the ways to increase the energy efficiency of batteries, and the use of artificial intelligence to save diabetics from eye diseases.

…

Apparently a crowd of 250 people and a selected jury scored the presentations.

I am quite intrigued by the description of the Kerala Sasthrasahithya Parishad (KSSP) mentioned in the article as the progenitor for the science portal Luca, from the KSSP’s Wikipedia entry, Note: Links have been removed,

Kerala Sasthra Sahithya Parishad (KSSP) (lit. ’Kerala Science Literature Movement’) is a prominent science and literature organization based in the Indian state of Kerala.^[5] It was founded in 1962 with the aim of promoting scientific temper, rational thinking, and a scientific approach to societal issues. The organization has played a significant role in popularizing science and scientific knowledge among the general public, particularly in the Malayalam-speaking region.^[6][7]

It was conceived as a people’s science movement.^[8] When it was founded in 1962, it was a 40-member group consisting of science writers and teachers, with an interest in science from a social perspective. Its membership has grown to about 60,000 in about 2,300 units spread over Kerala.^[9] In 1996, the group received the Right Livelihood Award “for its major contribution to a model of development rooted in social justice and popular participation.”^[10]

…

Now for Luca, the science portal, from the About Luca webpage, Note: Links have been removed,

Online science portal in Malayalam – initiated by the Kerala Sasthrasahithya Parishad (KSSP).

LUCA is an alternate medium for spreading scientific knowledge and scientific temper.

The media today play a major role in processing and civilizing the modern human. But the private profit is dominating there today. The greed, speculation and unscientific thoughts are being spread by the media in one way or another. We, by opposing these trends, are trying to do an alternative model of journalism by upholding the concepts of science, social justice, equality and sustainability.

We aim a more justly humane society that maintains equality and sustainability by understating the nature and people. To achieve this, we are utilizing social knowledge, social information, scientific thinking, political criticism and media analysis.

Our goal is to create a new society in which scientific temper will be the social consciousness.

All content in LUCA, except photos, development libraries like JavaScript, CSS, HTML Code etc. and those mentioned otherwise are published under Creative Commons Attribution Share Alike 4.0 International License .

Bravo to those who founded the lead organization in 1962 and to all those of who have contributed to its flourishing.

Remove 80 percent of dye pollutants from wastewater with wood nanocrystals

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They’re usually known as cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) but the term wood nanocrystals works too. From a March 23, 2023 news item on Nanowerk,

Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden, have developed a new method that can easily purify contaminated water using a cellulose-based material. This discovery could have implications for countries with poor water treatment technologies and combat the widespread problem of toxic dye discharge from the textile industry.
Clean water is a prerequisite for our health and living environment, but far from a given for everyone. According to the World Health Organization, WHO, there are currently over two billion people living with limited or no access to clean water.
This global challenge is at the centre of a research group at Chalmers University of Technology, which has developed a method to easily remove pollutants from water. The group, led by Gunnar Westman, Associate Professor of Organic Chemistry focuses on new uses for cellulose and wood-based products and is part of the Wallenberg Wood Science Center.
The researchers have built up solid knowledge about cellulose nanocrystals* – and this is where the key to water purification lies. These tiny nanoparticles have an outstanding adsorption capacity, which the researchers have now found a way to utilise.
“We have taken a unique holistic approach to these cellulose nanocrystals, examining their properties and potential applications. We have now created a biobased material, a form of cellulose powder with excellent purification properties that we can adapt and modify depending on the types of pollutants to be removed,” says Gunnar Westman.
…

Caption: Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden, have developed a new biobased material, a form of powder based on cellulose nanocrystals to purify water from pollutants, including textile dyes. When the polluted water passes through the filter with cellulose powder, the pollutants are absorbed, and the sunlight entering the treatment system causes them to break down quickly and efficiently. Laboratory tests have shown that at least 80 percent of the dye pollutants are removed with the new method and material, and the researchers see good opportunities to further increase the degree of purification. Credit: Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden | David Ljungberg

A March 23, 2023 Chalmers University of Technology press release (also on EurekAlert), which originated the news item, describes the water treatment in more detail including how it will be tested in field conditions,

Absorbs and breaks down toxins
In a study recently published in the scientific journal Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, the researchers show how toxic dyes can be filtered out of wastewater using the method and material developed by the group. The research was conducted in collaboration with the Malaviya National Institute of Technology Jaipur in India, where dye pollutants in textile industry wastewater are a widespread problem.
The treatment requires neither pressure nor heat and uses sunlight to catalyse the process. Gunnar Westman likens the method to pouring raspberry juice into a glass with grains of rice, which soak up the juice to make the water transparent again.
“Imagine a simple purification system, like a portable box connected to the sewage pipe. As the contaminated water passes through the cellulose powder filter, the pollutants are absorbed and the sunlight entering the treatment system causes them to break down quickly and efficiently. It is a cost-effective and simple system to set up and use, and we see that it could be of great benefit in countries that currently have poor or non-existent water treatment,” he says.
The method will be tested in India
India is one of the developing countries in Asia with extensive textile production, where large amounts of dyes are released into lakes, rivers and streams every year. The consequences for humans and the environment are serious. Water contaminant contains dyes and heavy metals and can cause skin damage with direct contact and increase the risk of cancer and organ damage when they enter into the food chain. Additionally, nature is affected in several ways, including the impairment of photosynthesis and plant growth.
Conducting field studies in India is an important next step, and the Chalmers researchers are now supporting their Indian colleagues in their efforts to get some of the country’s small-scale industries to test the method in reality. So far, laboratory tests with industrial water have shown that more than 80 percent of the dye pollutants are removed with the new method, and Gunnar Westman sees good opportunities to further increase the degree of purification.
“Going from discharging completely untreated water to removing 80 percent of the pollutants is a huge improvement, and means significantly less destruction of nature and harm to humans. In addition, by optimising the pH and treatment time, we see an opportunity to further improve the process so that we can produce both irrigation and drinking water. It would be fantastic if we can help these industries to get a water treatment system that works, so that people in the surrounding area can use the water without risking their health,” he says.
Can be used against other types of pollutants
Gunnar Westman also sees great opportunities to use cellulose nanocrystals for the treatment of other water pollutants than dyes. In a previous study, the research group has shown that pollutants of toxic hexavalent chromium, which is common in wastewater from mining, leather and metal industries, could be successfully removed with a similar type of cellulose-based material. The group is also exploring how the research area can contribute to the purification of antibiotic residues.
“There is great potential to find good water purification opportunities with this material, and in addition to the basic knowledge we have built up at Chalmers, an important key to success is the collective expertise available at the Wallenberg Wood Science Center,” he says.
More about the scientific article
Read the full article in Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research: Cellulose nanocrystals derived from microcrystalline cellulose for selective removal of Janus Green Azo Dye. The authors of the article are Gunnar Westman and Amit Kumar Sonker of Chalmers University of Technology, and Ruchi Aggarwal, Anjali Kumari Garg, Deepika Saini, and Sumit Kumar Sonkar of Malaviya National Institute of Technology Jaipur in India. The research is funded by the Wallenberg Wood Science Center, WWSC and the Indian group research is funded by Science and Engineering Research Board under Department of Science and Technology (DST-SERB) Government of India.
*Nanocrystals
Nanocrystals are nanoparticles in crystal form that are extremely small: a nanoparticle is between 1 and 100 nanometres in at least one dimension, i.e. along one axis. (one nanometre = one billionth of a metre).
Wallenberg Wood Science Center
•   The Wallenberg Wood Science Center, WWSC, is a research centre that aims to develop new sustainable biobased materials using raw materials from the forest. The WWSC is a multidisciplinary collaboration between Chalmers University of Technology, KTH Royal Institute of Technology and Linköping University, and is based on a donation from the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation.
•   The centre involves about 95 researchers and faculty members and 50 doctoral students. Eight research groups from Chalmers are part of the centre.
About dye pollutants and access to clean water
•   Over two billion people in the world live with limited or no access to clean water. It is estimated that over 3.5 million people die each year from lack of access to clean water and proper sanitation.
•   The global textile industry, which is concentrated in Asia, contributes to widespread water pollution. Production often takes place in low-wage countries, where much of the technology is antiquated and environmental legislation and oversight may be lacking.
•   Emissions contribute to eutrophication and toxic effects in water and soil. There are examples in China and India where groundwater has been contaminated by dye and processing chemicals.
•   Producing one kilogram of new textiles requires between 7,000 and 29,000 litres of water, and between 1.5 and 6.9 kg of chemicals.
•   In 2021, around 327 thousand tonnes of dyes and pigments were produced in India. A large proportion of the country’s dye pollutants is discharged untreated.
…
Sources
Swedish Environmental Protection Agency: https://www.naturvardsverket.se/amnesomraden/textil/dagens-textila-floden-ar-en-global-miljoutmaning/
WHO: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/drinking-water
A critical review on the treatment of dye-containing wastewater: Ecotoxicological and health concerns of textile dyes and possible remediation approaches for environmental safety. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, February 2022
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0147651321012720
Effects of textile dyes on health and the environment and bioremediation potential of living organisms. Biotechnology Research and Innovation, July–December 2019
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2452072119300413
Swedish Chemicals Agency: https://www.kemi.se/kemiska-amnen-och-material/nanomaterial
Statista: https://www.statista.com/statistics/726947/india-dyes-and-pigments-production-volume/#:~:text=In%20fiscal%20year%202021%2C%20the,around%20327%20thousand%20metric%20tons

Even though there’s a link to the research in the press release, here’s my link to and citation for the paper, which specifies a particular dye suggesting this is not a universal treatment,

Cellulose Nanocrystals Derived from Microcrystalline Cellulose for Selective Removal of Janus Green Azo Dye by Ruchi Aggarwal, Anjali Kumari Garg, Deepika Saini, Sumit Kumar Sonkar, Amit Kumar Sonker, and Gunnar Westman. Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 2023, 62, 1, 649–659 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.iecr.2c03365 Publication Date: December 26, 2022 Copyright © 2022 American Chemical Society

This paper is behind a paywall.

More communication of India’s scientific research?

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Did you know that “India is the third largest producer of research output in the world?” That’s according to a new ‘white paper’ produced by Cactus Communications’ Impact Science division.

Here’s more from a May 18, 2022 Cactus Communications press release (also on EurekAlert) about their latest report,

Research communication attracts funders, increases opportunities formulti-institutional collaborations and multi-continent projects, and enhances scientific reputation. India lags behind other nations in actively promoting science. These are the findings of a white paper titled ‘Enriching the Indian Scientific Landscape with Research Communication’ by Impact Science, a Cactus Communications brand that specializes in science communication strategy and tactics. The comprehensive report emphasizes the importance of research communication and high-profile work in terms of publications and patents which allow the scientific community to reach out to a worldwide audience and raise awareness about Indian research. To continue this endeavor, the white paper highlights the need for sustained and increased funding from both private and public sectors.
Research has great potential in enhancing national pride, improving problem-solving capabilities, training the younger generation of scientists, and occasional commercialization. Abhishek Goel, CEO & Co-founder, CACTUS said, “Apart from the fact that it is a public good and that it is needed to inspire the next generation of scientists, the main reason for communicating science and scientific research is to obtain more funding for research. The west has been quite good at attracting philanthropic funding, whereas this remains extremely limited in India. In the west, entire departments or laboratories are funded by endowments and philanthropic money for a long time and we recommend the same for India, especially in the new age of private universities. Such funding would help attract the best of domestic and global minds, working to solve India’s and the world’s problems, from India.”
The white paper addresses the major gap between content portrayal for the academics, scientific communities, and non-scientific audience. It is crucial as limited people have the flair for understanding the language and technicalities of a research paper. Efforts should be invested in opening channels to use the science background and merge it with writing and communication skills that can be understood by the larger audience. Prof. K. VijayRaghavan, Former Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, said, “One point which everyone agrees is that there is no point in doing science unless and until it is written up and communicated to your peers. Communication is at the heart of all our science.”
Over the years, academic institutions, governments, researchers, and those funding research projects have been concerned about the struggles faced by scientists and researchers’ way of engagement with the larger non-scientific audience. Conveying their research to this set of non-scientific audience needs to be simplified and requires an adequate skillset due to the complexity of the subject matter.
Adding to the perspective, Prof. V. Ramgopal Rao, Former Director, IIT Delhi said, “Being able to communicate your research to a wider audience is essential. There are times wherein researchers hesitate to explain their work due to technical constraints on the receiving end. Internationally, researchers have showcased perfect combinations of being excellent writers, authors, and effective communicators. The same needs to be inculcated in India. Institutes now have to identify and motivate good communicators among all their researchers and scientists. I believe merely publishing papers will not create an impact in the long run until we generate the knowledge and use that knowledge to create wealth later.”
The white paper further talks about how gradually the government and other research institutes are working toward propagating research and popularising the work through newspaper articles or even blogs and social media posts. Researchers prefer Twitter and LinkedIn over other social media platforms. Engagement on these platforms has led to successful collaborations, increased funding, and award nomination possibilities. Leading institutes and scientists are attempting to reach out to a larger audience by preparing videos on popular and current topics such as vaccines, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. They are creating material in regional languages and uploading them on the Internet which is helping them reach out to a much larger audience than before.
You can download the complete report here: https://www.impact.science/whitepaper/india-third-largest-producer-of-research-output-in-the-world.html
About Cactus Communications
Founded in 2002, Cactus Communications (cactusglobal.com) is a technology company accelerating scientific advancement. CACTUS solves problems for researchers, universities, publishers, academic societies, and life science organisations through innovative products and services developed under the brands Editage, Cactus Life Sciences, Researcher.Life, Impact Science, UNSILO, Paperpal and Cactus Labs. CACTUS has offices in Princeton, London, Aarhus, Singapore, Beijing, Shanghai, Seoul, Tokyo, and Mumbai; a global workforce of over 3,000 experts; and customers from over 190 countries. CACTUS is considered a pioneer in its workplace best practices and has been consistently ranked a great place to work over the last several years. To find out more, visit www.cactusglobal.com
About Impact Science
Founded in 2019, Impact Science (impact.science) offers solutions for science dissemination and engagement with peers, public, and policymakers for wider research outreach. Impact Science is a brand of Cactus Communications (cactusglobal.com), a technology company accelerating scientific advancement. Few [sic] key clienteles [sic] Impact Science engages with are Kings College London, Willey, Emerald publishing, Abbott, ASCO, Royal Society of Chemistry, etc.

Before you download the white paper, you will need to give them your name, your institution, your email, etc.

Transformational machine learning (TML)

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It seems machine learning is getting a tune-up. A November 29, 2021 news item on ScienceDaily describes research into improving machine learning from an international team of researchers,

Researchers have developed a new approach to machine learning that ‘learns how to learn’ and out-performs current machine learning methods for drug design, which in turn could accelerate the search for new disease treatments.
The method, called transformational machine learning (TML), was developed by a team from the UK, Sweden, India and Netherlands. It learns from multiple problems and improves performance while it learns.
…

A November 29, 2021 University of Cambridge press release (also on EurekAlert), which originated the news item, describes the potential this new technique may have on drug discovery and more,

TML could accelerate the identification and production of new drugs by improving the machine learning systems which are used to identify them. The results are reported in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Most types of machine learning (ML) use labelled examples, and these examples are almost always represented in the computer using intrinsic features, such as the colour or shape of an object. The computer then forms general rules that relate the features to the labels.
“It’s sort of like teaching a child to identify different animals: this is a rabbit, this is a donkey and so on,” said Professor Ross King from Cambridge’s Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, who led the research. “If you teach a machine learning algorithm what a rabbit looks like, it will be able to tell whether an animal is or isn’t a rabbit. This is the way that most machine learning works – it deals with problems one at a time.”
However, this is not the way that human learning works: instead of dealing with a single issue at a time, we get better at learning because we have learned things in the past.
“To develop TML, we applied this approach to machine learning, and developed a system that learns information from previous problems it has encountered in order to better learn new problems,” said King, who is also a Fellow at The Alan Turing Institute. “Where a typical ML system has to start from scratch when learning to identify a new type of animal – say a kitten – TML can use the similarity to existing animals: kittens are cute like rabbits, but don’t have long ears like rabbits and donkeys. This makes TML a much more powerful approach to machine learning.”
The researchers demonstrated the effectiveness of their idea on thousands of problems from across science and engineering. They say it shows particular promise in the area of drug discovery, where this approach speeds up the process by checking what other ML models say about a particular molecule. A typical ML approach will search for drug molecules of a particular shape, for example. TML instead uses the connection of the drugs to other drug discovery problems.
“I was surprised how well it works – better than anything else we know for drug design,” said King. “It’s better at choosing drugs than humans are – and without the best science, we won’t get the best results.”

Here’s a link to and a citation for the paper,

Transformational machine learning: Learning how to learn from many related scientific problems by Ivan Olier, Oghenejokpeme I. Orhobor, Tirtharaj Dash, Andy M. Davis, Larisa N. Soldatova, Joaquin Vanschoren, and Ross D. King. PNAS December 7, 2021 118 (49) e2108013118; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2108013118

This paper appears to be open access.

Tamarind shells turned into carbon nanosheets for supercapacitors

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Fro anyone who needs a shot of happiness, this is a very happy scientist,

Caption: Assistant Professor (Steve) Cuong Dang, from NTU’s School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, who led the study, displaying pieces of tamarind shell, which were integral to the study. Credit to NTU Singapore

A July 14, 2021 news item on ScienceDaily describes the source of assistant professor (Steve) Cuong Dang’s happiness,

Shells of tamarind, a tropical fruit consumed worldwide, are discarded during food production. As they are bulky, tamarind shells take up a considerable amount of space in landfills where they are disposed as agricultural waste.
However, a team of international scientists led by Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) has found a way to deal with the problem. By processing the tamarind shells which are rich in carbon, the scientists converted the waste material into carbon nanosheets, which are a key component of supercapacitors – energy storage devices that are used in automobiles, buses, electric vehicles, trains, and elevators.
The study reflects NTU’s commitment to address humanity’s grand challenges on sustainability as part of its 2025 strategic plan, which seeks to accelerate the translation of research discoveries into innovations that mitigate our impact on the environment.

A July 14, 2021 NTU press release (also here [scroll down to click on the link to the full press release] and on EurekAlert but published July 13, 2021), which originated the news item, delves further into the topic,

he team, made up of researchers from NTU Singapore, the Western Norway University of Applied Sciences in Norway, and Alagappa University in India, believes that these nanosheets, when scaled up, could be an eco-friendly alternative to their industrially produced counterparts, and cut down on waste at the same time.
Assistant Professor (Steve) Cuong Dang, from NTU’s School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, who led the study, said: “Through a series of analysis, we found that the performance of our tamarind shell-derived nanosheets was comparable to their industrially made counterparts in terms of porous structure and electrochemical properties. The process to make the nanosheets is also the standard method to produce active carbon nanosheets.”
Professor G. Ravi, Head, Department of Physics, who co-authored the study with Asst Prof Dr R. Yuvakkumar, who are both from Alagappa University, said: “The use of tamarind shells may reduce the amount of space required for landfills, especially in regions in Asia such as India, one of the world’s largest producers of tamarind, which is also grappling with waste disposal issues.”
The study was published in the peer-reviewed scientific journal Chemosphere in June [2021].
The step-by-step recipe for carbon nanosheets
To manufacture the carbon nanosheets, the researchers first washed tamarind fruit shells and dried them at 100°C for around six hours, before grinding them into powder.
The scientists then baked the powder in a furnace for 150 minutes at 700-900 degrees Celsius in the absence of oxygen to convert them into ultrathin sheets of carbon known as nanosheets.
Tamarind shells are rich in carbon and porous in nature, making them an ideal material from which to manufacture carbon nanosheets.
A common material used to produce carbon nanosheets are industrial hemp fibres. However, they require to be heated at over 180°C for 24 hours – four times longer than that of tamarind shells, and at a higher temperature. This is before the hemp is further subjected to intense heat to convert them into carbon nanosheets.
Professor Dhayalan Velauthapillai, Head of the research group for Advanced Nanomaterials for Clean Energy and Health Applications at Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, who participated in the study, said: “Carbon nanosheets comprise of layers of carbon atoms arranged in interconnecting hexagons, like a honeycomb. The secret behind their energy storing capabilities lies in their porous structure leading to large surface area which help the material to store large amounts of electric charges.”
The tamarind shell-derived nanosheets also showed good thermal stability and electric conductivity, making them promising options for energy storage.
The researchers hope to explore larger scale production of the carbon nanosheets with agricultural partners. They are also working on reducing the energy needed for the production process, making it more environmentally friendly, and are seeking to improve the electrochemical properties of the nanosheets.
The team also hopes to explore the possibility of using different types of fruit skins or shells to produce carbon nanosheets.

Here’s a link to and a citation for the paper,

Cleaner production of tamarind fruit shell into bio-mass derived porous 3D-activated carbon nanosheets by CVD technique for supercapacitor applications by V. Thirumal, K. Dhamodharan, R. Yuvakkumar, G. Ravi, B. Saravanakumar, M. Thambidurai, Cuong Dang, Dhayalan Velauthapillai. Chemosphere Volume 282, November 2021, 131033 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.131033 Available online 2 June 2021.

This paper is behind a paywall.

Because we could all do with a little more happiness these days,

Caption: (L-R) Senior Research Fellow Dr Thambidurai Mariyappan, also from NTU’s School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, who was part of the study, and Asst Prof Dang, holding up tamarind pods. Credit to NTU Singapore

Director of nanotechnology centre removed after alleged casteist comments

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I am covering this because the study of science does not insulate anyone from issues of discrimination. In fact, there is a long standing use of science to defend discrimination and, in some cases, the elimination of some groups perceived as substandard. Eugenics and race science come to mind.

For any Canadians who may still feel a little smug, it might be useful to note that the highly revered Tommy Douglas (1904 -1986), the father of universal health care in Canada, had an interest in eugenics and wrote a master’s thesis proposing its use. From his Wikipedia entry, Note: Links have been removed,

…
Douglas graduated from Brandon College in 1930, and completed his Master of Arts degree in sociology at McMaster University in 1933. His thesis, entitled The Problems of the Subnormal Family, endorsed eugenics.^[15] The thesis proposed a system that would have required couples seeking to marry to be certified as mentally and morally fit. Those deemed to be “subnormal”, because of low intelligence, moral laxity, or venereal disease would be sent to state farms or camps; while those judged to be mentally defective or incurably diseased would be sterilized.^[16]
Douglas rarely mentioned his thesis later in his life, and his government never enacted eugenics policies, even though two official reviews of Saskatchewan’s mental health system recommended such a program when he became Premier and Minister of Health. As Premier, Douglas opposed the adoption of eugenics laws.^[16] By the time Douglas took office in 1944, many people questioned eugenics due to Nazi Germany’s embrace of it in its effort to create a “master race”.^[17] Instead, Douglas implemented vocational training for the mentally handicapped and therapy for those suffering from mental disorders.^[18][a]

Douglas seems to have quietly abandoned eugenics as a solution to social problems at some point after 1933.

Before moving onto the alleged casteist comments, a little bit about the caste system.

Caste and science

Here’s what I found about the caste system and race science in the Caste system in India Wikipedia entry, Note: Links have been removed,

Castes are rigid social groups characterized by hereditary transmission of life style, occupation and social status. The caste system in India has its origins in ancient India, and was transformed by various ruling elites in medieval, early-modern, and modern India, especially the Mughal Empire and the British Raj.^[1][2][3][4] The caste system consists of two different concepts, varna and jati, which may be regarded as different levels of analysis.
…
The term caste is not originally an Indian word, though it is now widely used, both in English and in Indian languages. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, it is derived from the Portuguese casta, meaning “race, lineage, breed” and, originally, “‘pure or unmixed (stock or breed)”.^[30] There is no exact translation in Indian languages, but varna and jati are the two most approximate terms.^[31]
…
Race science
Colonial administrator Herbert Hope Risley, an exponent of race science, used the ratio of the width of a nose to its height to divide Indians into Aryan and Dravidian races, as well as seven castes.^[164]
…

Highly charged

A November 7, 2021news item in The Times of India breaks the story, Note: Links have been removed,

Mahatma Gandhi University on Saturday [November 6, 2021] removed Dr Nandakumar Kalarikkal from the post of the director of the International and Inter University Centre for Nano Science and Nano technology (IIUCNN) for alleged caste discrimination against a research scholar.
The vice-chancellor of the university Sabu Thomas has taken charge as the director of the centre.
The university is learned to have made the decision based on a directive from the state government. Deepa P Mohanan, a research scholar, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike in the varsity, had demanded Kalarikkal’s removal from the department alleging that she faced discrimination based on caste from him and that he prevented her from doing her research.
The action against the faculty member has been taken even as the hunger strike by the student entered the ninth day on Saturday [November 6, 2021].
…
Thomas said that Kalarikkal has stepped down and that the decision was made after holding talks with Kalarikkal based on a directive from the government.
“Kalarikkal is a brilliant faculty member. He was willing to step down,” the vice chancellor said. He also said that nobody can remove Kalarikkal as a faculty member, adding that he will be [sic] continue to serve in the centre as well as in the Physics department.
…
Earlier in the day, minister for higher education R Bindu had signalled her support to the student.
In a Facebook post the minister said that the government has asked the university what is stopping it from removing the professor and conduct [sic] a probe.
…

A November 8, 2021 news item on The Quint provides a followup to the story,

Deepa P Mohanan, a Dalit PhD scholar at the Mahatma Gandhi University (MGU) in Kottayam, Kerala, on Monday, 8 November [2021], finally withdrew her hunger strike. …
… Mohanan claims that for the last 10 years, her progress is being scuttled by the director of the institute, Nandakumar Kalarickal, allegedly because she is a Dalit.
Professor Nandakumar who was earlier removed from the director’s post, has now been removed from the university’s nanoscience department.

A few thoughts

Mohanan certainly found a very powerful way to protest; her hunger strike at the Mahatma Gandhi University had to have resonated with officials and bystanders.

For anyone not familiar with Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948), he was India’s first prime minister after leading India to freedom from British rule with nonviolent protests (including hunger strikes).

With regard to the allegations, I imagine there will be some further investigation. Should I hear more about the matter, I will update this posting.

In the end, this situation is a reminder that science is not practised by flawless people and can be prey to the same social problems one encounters everywhere.,

Jean-Pierre Luminet awarded UNESCO’s Kalinga prize for Popularizing Science

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Before getting to the news about Jean-Pierre Luminet, astrophysicist, poet, sculptor, and more, there’s the prize itself.

Established in 1951, a scant five years after UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) was founded in 1945, the Kalinga Prize for the Popularization of Science is the organization’s oldest prize. Here’s more from the UNESCO Kalinga Prize for the Popularization of Science webpage,

…
The UNESCO Kalinga Prize for the Popularization of Science is an international award to reward exceptional contributions made by individuals in communicating science to society and promoting the popularization of science. It is awarded to persons who have had a distinguished career as writer, editor, lecturer, radio, television, or web programme director, or film producer in helping interpret science, research and technology to the public. UNESCO Kalinga Prize winners know the potential power of science, technology, and research in improving public welfare, enriching the cultural heritage of nations and providing solutions to societal problems on the local, regional and global level.
…
The UNESCO Kalinga Prize for the Popularization of Science is UNESCO’s oldest prize, created in 1951 following a donation from Mr Bijoyanand Patnaik, Founder and President of the Kalinga Foundation(link is external) Trust in India. Today, the Prize is funded by the Kalinga Foundation Trust(link is external), the Government of the State of Orissa, India(link is external), and the Government of India (Department of Science and Technology(link is external)).

Jean-Pierre Luminet

From the November 4, 2021 UNESCO press release (also received via email),

French scientist and author Jean-Pierre Luminet will be awarded the 2021 UNESCO Kalinga Prize for the Popularization of Science. The prize-giving ceremony will take place online on 5 November as part of the celebration of World Science Day for Peace and Development.
An independent international jury selected Jean-Pierre Luminet recognizing his longstanding commitment to the popularization of science. Mr Luminet is a distinguished astrophysicist and cosmologist who has been promoting the values of scientific research through a wide variety of media: he has created popular science books and novels, beautifully illustrated exhibition catalogues, poetry, audiovisual materials for children and documentaries, notably “Du Big Bang au vivant” with Hubert Reeves. He is also an artist, engraver and sculptor and has collaborated with composers on musicals inspired by the sounds of the Universe.
His publications are model examples for communicating science to the public. Their scientific content is precise, rigorous and always state-of-the-art. He has written seven “scientific novels”, including “Le Secret de Copernic”, published in 2006. His recent book “Le destin de l’univers : trous noirs et énergie sombre”, about black holes and dark energy, was written for the general public and was praised for its outstanding scientific, historical, and literary qualities. Jean-Pierre Luminet’s work has been translated into a many languages including Chinese and Korean.
…

There is a page for Luminet in both the French language and English language wikipedias. If you have the language skills, you might want to check out the French language essay as I found it to be more stylishly written.

Compare,

De par ses activités de poète, essayiste, romancier et scénariste, dans une œuvre voulant lier science, histoire, musique et art, il est également Officier des Arts et des Lettres.

With,

… Luminet has written fifteen science books,^[4] seven historical novels,^[4] TV documentaries,^[5] and six poetry collections. He is an artist, an engraver, a sculptor, and a musician.

My rough translation of the French,

As a poet, essayaist, novelist, and a screenwriter in a body of work that brings together science, history, music and art, he is truly someone who has enriched the French cultural inheritance (which is what it means to be an Officer of Arts and Letters or Officier des Arts et des Lettres; see English language entry for Ordre des Arts et des Lettres).

In any event, congratulations to M. Luminet.

Hydrogels in which skin cells survive and grow

Successful tests

Fusion energy

#2 Fusion will become a source of clean, limitless energy

TRUE — Fusion is generally seen as “clean” energy.

ITER

Tokamak

Now, the ITER news

Vancouver’s (Canada) General Fusion news

Business investments and fusion energy

Wrapping up

The Opening Ceremony

The Exhibition

Important Notice

Day 14 February 2025Room I

09:00-10:00 Registration, coffee

10:00 – 10:55 Opening Session

10:55 -11:00 Group Photo

11:00-11:50 Fireside Chat: Shaping a Sustainable Future for Global Development

11:50-12:40 Roundtable Discussion: Pushing the Frontiers of Quantum Science and Technology

12:40-12:50 Music Performance

12:50-1400 LunchHall Segur, le Foyer and the Restaurant on the 7th floor of the UNESCO

14:00-14;50 Panel Discussion and Public Engagement and Education in Quantum Science and Technology

14:50-15:40 Roundtable Discussion: Policy and Innovation in Quantum Science for Advancing Global Goals for Sustainable Development

15:40-16:35 Networking SessionCoffee Break

17:05-18:05 Voices from the Industry: The Challenge of Developing Quantum at Scale

18:05-18:25 UNESCO’s Role in Reducing the Quantum Divide: Advancing Global Innovation and Inclusion

18:25-18:30 Day one Concluding Notes

Day 25 February 2025Room II

09:00-09:30 Welcome Coffee

09:30-09:45 Introductory Session

09:45-10:45 Panel Discussion: Ethics of Quantum Technologies

10:35-10:45 Q&A session

11:10-12:00 Panel Discussion

12:00-12:10 Q&A session

12:10-12:30 Closing of Day 2 and the Launch of the International Year

Side-Exhibition

Online science portal in Malayalam – initiated by the Kerala Sasthrasahithya Parishad (KSSP).

Our goal is to create a new society in which scientific temper will be the social consciousness.

Caste and science

Highly charged

A few thoughts

Jean-Pierre Luminet

Day 1
4 February 2025
Room I

12:50-1400 Lunch
Hall Segur, le Foyer and the Restaurant on the 7th floor of the UNESCO

15:40-16:35 Networking Session
Coffee Break

Day 2
5 February 2025
Room II