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Director of MIT's Plasma and Fusion Center, Dies at 47

3 days ago
  • #MIT
  • #Fusion Energy
  • #Plasma Physics
  • Nuno Loureiro, a professor at MIT and director of the Plasma Science and Fusion Center, has died at 47.
  • His research advanced understanding of plasma behavior, turbulence, and astronomical phenomena like solar flares.
  • Loureiro's work on magnetized plasma dynamics and fusion device design brought clean fusion power closer to reality.
  • He was a mentor, teacher, and leader, admired for his articulate and compassionate manner.
  • Loureiro merged fundamental physics with technology, attracting brilliant students to fusion development.
  • His career included positions at Princeton, UKAEA Culham, and Instituto Superior Tecnico before joining MIT in 2016.
  • He contributed to solving plasma turbulence and understanding pair plasmas in astrophysics.
  • Loureiro received numerous awards, including the NSF Career Award and APS Thomas H. Stix Award.