The University of Rochester’s Laboratory for Laser Energetics (LLE) is spearheading the IFE-STAR ecosystem, an initiative supported by a $2.25 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy. This program is set to reshape the future of inertial fusion energy (IFE) by bringing together experts from academia, national laboratories, and industry while investing in the next generation of researchers. Central to this effort are two transformative programs: the inaugural IFE-STAR conference, taking place April 7-11, 2025, in Breckenridge, Colorado, where leading scientists will address the most pressing challenges and advancements in fusion research, and the Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE), which will immerse students in hands-on research alongside top IFE scientists at over 20 institutions. These initiatives are designed to drive meaningful progress in fusion energy science while cultivating the talent essential for its future.

Resembling the interlocking links in chainmail, novel nanoscale material is incredibly strong and flexible. The interlocked material contains 100 trillion mechanical bonds per 1 square centimeter — the highest density of mechanical bonds ever achieved. Small amounts of the mechanically interlocked polymer added to Ultem fibers increased the high-performance material's toughness.