A power transmission cable developed at CERN using rare-earth barium copper oxide (also referred to as REBCO), a high-temperature superconductor (HTS) . (Image: CERN)
On 10 September 2025, CERN and Fusion for Energy (F4E) signed a major framework collaboration agreement to advance scientific research and technological development in areas of common interest. F4E is the European Union organisation managing Europe's contribution to ITER - the world's largest scientific experiment on the path to fusion energy.
This new agreement was originally sparked by the shared interest of both CERN and F4E in high-temperature superconducting (HTS) magnet technologies and fusion energy. It opens the door to a wide range of collaborations, particularly in:
- engineering design and construction of large scientific instruments and experiments, including industrial production follow-up and quality management;
- testing of materials, components and systems;
- organisation, planning and follow-up of scientific projects;
- knowledge and technology transfer;
- research and development in physics and in engineering and technologies relevant to future scientific experiments and demonstrators.
"Through this cooperation agreement, we will strengthen F4E's capacity to deliver and, in parallel, address and answer complex questions in the fields of fusion energy and particle physics," says Marc Lachaise, Director of F4E. "By working together, we will capitalise on the excellence, talent and expertise resulting from large-scale international projects managed respectively by the two organisations. This collaboration is vital for the advancement of fusion energy together with that of science. It is a fantastic step in the right direction."
"In a complex and fast-changing world, delivering large-scale scientific infrastructure calls for shared vision, technical synergy and organisational resilience," says Mike Lamont, CERN's Director for Accelerators and Technology. "CERN and F4E face many of the same challenges - from advanced magnet technologies to sustainable project execution over decades. This agreement reinforces a partnership built on mutual interests and long-term commitment. It was a pleasure to welcome Marc Lachaise and the F4E team to CERN, and to advance a shared agenda for science and its impact on society."
This framework collaboration agreement builds on and strengthens existing ties between CERN and F4E, which began in 2014 with a collaboration agreement on the impact of radiation on materials. That cooperation was further extended in April 2025 with a new agreement on radiofrequency (RF) power couplers.
CERN established a dedicated fusion technology coordination unit in 2023, bringing together experts in accelerators, magnet technology, and knowledge transfer. This unit reflects CERN's growing commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration and its potential impact beyond particle physics. The new agreement with F4E is a prominent example of that approach in action.
