The US Department of Energy has forged a novel partnership with the Swedish government to promote groundbreaking research in areas such as energy physics and fusion technology, according to an announcement made by the agency on Tuesday. This collaborative endeavor, one amongst many scientific collaborations the US has initiated with European Union allies, will primarily emphasize investigations that promote further energy research. These investigations span numerous fields, including high energy physics, scientific computing, nuclear physics, fusion, fundamental energy sciences, as well as biological and environmental research.
“Collaborations are important for expanding the frontiers of science. The Director of the Department of Energy’s Office of Science, Asmeret Asefaw Berhe, expressed his office’s eagerness to intensify its collaboration with its Swedish colleagues in order to take full advantage of their experience and resources.
Fusion research, a focal area for the partnership, has recently captured global attention following a significant scientific milestone where energy generation was achieved through fusion ignition at a US national laboratory in early 2023. Given its potential as a clean energy source, fusion energy has rapidly ascended the list of the Biden administration’s priorities for the advancement of emerging technologies and sciences.
“For the Swedish Government, it is crucial to address societal challenges we encounter with innovative and efficient solutions. Within the energy sector, we need to align with the best to discover and cultivate solutions for the escalating demand for clean and green energy production,” stated Mats Persson, the Swedish Minister for Education. “Consequently, I am extremely pleased that Sweden is now intensifying its collaboration with the US in energy research.” This partnership extends an initial agreement between the US and Sweden established in 2006.