The President’s 2013 Budget Proposal shuts down Alcator C-Mod, an essential laboratory for clean energy research at MIT, and decreases funding for US-based fusion research.
Alcator C-Mod is a world-class science facility dedicated to fusion energy research and education. It is an important part of a strong U.S. fusion energy science research program.
- The loss of Alcator C-Mod would significantly hinder U.S. and global efforts to develop magnetic fusion: a potential source of safe and abundant clean energy.
- Alcator C-Mod is the largest single U.S. training facility for students in the field. Shutting down this laboratory will result in the loss of future generations of scientists.
- Closure of the Alcator C-Mod laboratory will impede basic science research, interrupt the growth of U.S. technology, and lead to loss of over 300 technical and non-technical jobs.
Additional cuts at other U.S. fusion laboratories are deeply concerning. The termination of Alcator C-Mod foreshadows further shutdowns unless a clear path for U.S. fusion research is implemented.
Take action: contact policy makers now!
Graduate students running experiments on Alcator C-Mod. Photo: P. Rivenberg, M.P. McNally, MIT
The interior of Alcator C-Mod where the plasma is confined and heated. Learn more about this machine using the "Why Alcator C-Mod" tab above. Photo: M. Garrett. Click for the high resolution photo.
