Students and faculty from QCC’s Radiologic Technology program recently had an extraordinary opportunity to visit Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS) in Devens, MA, one of the world’s leading centers for fusion energy research and technology.
During the visit, students were among the very few who had the opportunity to see what CFS calls SPARC, which is positioned to become the first commercially relevant net‑energy fusion machine, when it becomes active. Upon activation it will not be open to the public. The tour also included a visit to CSF's tokamak hall, home to the fusion reactor.
CFS is known for its groundbreaking work in developing high‑temperature superconducting magnets in partnership with MIT, an advancement that enables smaller and more cost‑efficient tokamak fusion systems.
The tour provided an invaluable real‑world connection to concepts students learn in their radiation science coursework. In particular, it demonstrated how radiation safety is managed in an active reactor environment, which is critical knowledge for the students' future work in the field.
This rare look inside a high‑security, cutting‑edge fusion facility offered students a memorable learning opportunity and a deeper understanding of how science, technology and safety come together to shape the future.