On 25-26 May 2025, the 3^rd edition of the "Science for Society" Congress took place in the Large Hall of the Warsaw University of Technology. The aim of the event was to show that science means only work in laboratories, but also specific solutions that have a real impact on the lives of citizens and the development of the state.

The Institute of Plasma Physics and Laser Microfusion (IPPLM) took part in the Congress for the third time, presenting its achievements at a special stand. Visitors could familiarize themselves with the main directions of the Institute's research activity and talk to its experts and researchers.

The main area of the IPPLM research is the use of controlled nuclear fusion to produce electricity in a safe and environmentally friendly manner. The Institute is involved in diagnostic work, modelling plasma phenomena, research on the behaviour of plasma impurities and the impact of plasma on structural surfaces.

The IPPLM stand featured 3D models of the ITER experimental tokamak being built in Cadarache, France, and a model of a stellarator. Both of these devices use magnetic field to keep hot plasma away from the inner walls of the vessel, which allows for safe fusion reactions at temperatures of up to 100-150 million degrees Celsius. Specialists from the High Power Laser Laboratory presented the results of research on laser plasma in the context of energy production from fusion with inertial plasma confinement. Guests could also watch a film presenting the IPPLM laboratories and obtain numerous educational materials.

On the second day of the Congress, the guest of honour was the Secretary of State in the Ministry of Science and Higher Education Ms. Karolina Zioło-Pużuk. After her speech, the Minister, together with the Chairman of the Main Council of Research Institutes, Prof. Henryk Skarżyński, presented the participants with commemorative statuettes and diplomas.

Photo: IPPLM

The 3^rd edition of the "Science for Society" Congress will take place on 25–26 May 2025 at the Warsaw University of Technology. This unique event demonstrates that science is not only about work in laboratories, but also about delivering tangible solutions that benefit society and support the country’s economic development.

As part of the Congress, we invite you to visit the stand of the Institute of Plasma Physics and Laser Microfusion (IPPLM), where you will have the opportunity to:

• learn more about nuclear fusion – the energy source of the future,
• explore the main areas of the Institute’s scientific activities,
• talk to our experts and researchers.

The IPPLM stand will be open to visitors:

• Sunday, 25 May – 8:50 AM – 6:00 PM
• Monday, 26 May – 8:20 AM – 6:00 PM

More than 100 research institutions and teams will participate in the Congress, along with over 20 special guests – distinguished scientists, technology transfer experts, creators, entrepreneurs, and public figures.

Participation is free of charge and does not require registration.

The event will also be streamed online at: https://nauka-dla-spoleczenstwa.pl/

The full programme of the Congress is available here: Programme of the 3^rd Congress edition

Source: Nauka dla Społeczeństwa

The Institute of Plasma Physics and Laser Microfusion (IPPLM) invites you to its stand on Saturday, 10 May, during the 28^th Science Picnic, organized by Polish Radio and the Copernicus Science Center. This year's edition of the event, held under the slogan "Ale Kosmos!", is an excellent opportunity to take a closer look at modern space technologies and fascinating plasma phenomena.

What will we show at our stand?

1) Plasma space thrusters – science, not fiction

In this demonstration, we will present a pulsed plasma thruster (PPT) developed at the IPPLM, designed to propel small satellites, so-called Cubesats. The device will be placed in a special vacuum chamber, and during its operation, a spectacular flash of blue-purple plasma will appear. Participants will learn how such a drive works and what applications it has on board so-called microsatellites. Other types of space plasma thrusters will also be presented.

2) Northern Lights in a jar

In the model of the Solar System – Planeterrella – we will show phenomena occurring in space, such as the aurora borealis, the Van Allen belts and the solar corona. Two spheres under a glass dome – one symbolizing the Sun, the other the Earth – will allow us to show how the solar wind interacts with the magnetic field of our planet. Participants will be able to modify the parameters of the discharges themselves and see how the aurora is created.

3) Lasers – a new era of space communication

In this case, we will demonstrate how laser communication, recently tested in NASA missions, works. Participants will be able to send light messages themselves. Our experts will explain what amplitude modulation of light is and how it can be used to send messages that control devices. You will also be able to check how detectors react to different light sources.

Where can you find us?

IPPLM stand: Strefa Przyszłosci (Future Zone), tent E4
Saturday, 10 May 2025 r., 11.00 a.m.– 8.00 p.m.
PGE Narodowy Stadium, Warsaw
Admission is free of charge.
Interactive Picnic Map
Picnic Map to download

Why is it worth joining us?

The Science Picnic is the largest outdoor event in Europe on the subject of science. Its aim is to disseminate knowledge from various scientific disciplines by presenting interesting experiments and experiences. The Picnic allows to understand and get to know science, showing it as an extremely exciting and fascinating area of life, and by bringing closer the scientist's workshop, it encourages and inspires the participants of this event to undertake independent scientific activity.

On 17 April 2025, a cooperation agreement was signed between the National Museum of Technology (NMT) and the Institute of Plasma Physics and Laser Microfusion (IPPLM).

The ceremonial meeting, attended by the IPPLM director Dr. hab. Monika Kubkowska, and the NMT director Mr. Mirosław Zientarzewski, took place at the Museum's headquarters in the Palace of Culture and Science in Warsaw. Representatives of both institutions also took part in the event.

The concluded agreement assumes cooperation in the field of scientific and exhibition activities as well as popularization, dissemination and promotion of knowledge in the field of physical sciences, in particular through:

– co-creation of educational, exhibition and popularization projects,

– development of competences in the field of development, cataloguing, storage and presentation of collections concerning plasma research, in particular its generation, diagnostics and application in broadly understood energy technology,

– presentation of the results of cooperation and dissemination of its results at conferences, congresses, exhibitions or other events.

The agreement was concluded for five years, until 16 April 2030, with the possibility of its extension.

After the end of the official part, the IPPLM employees had the opportunity to visit the exhibitions of the National Museum of Technology, which has in its collections over 15 thousand exhibits from fields such as physics, astronomy, mining, transport, computer science, and energy.

Photo: IPPLM

On 24-25 March 2025, a Polish-French meeting was held at the headquarters of the Institute of Nuclear Physics of the Polish Academy of Sciences (IFJ PAN) and the French Institute in Krakow, the aim of which was to exchange experiences and develop scientific cooperation between institutions from Poland and France.

The meeting gathered representatives of prestigious research centres, including the Institute of Nuclear Physics of the Polish Academy of Sciences (IFJ PAN) in Krakow, CEA IRFM from Cadarache, AGH University of Science and Technology in Krakow (AGH), the Institute of Plasma Physics and Laser Microfusion in Warsaw (IFPILM), the National Centre for Nuclear Research (NCBJ) in Otwock and the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń.

The meeting was attended by Dr. hab. Agata Chomiczewska and Dr. Piotr Chmielewski, who represented the Institute of Plasma Physics and Laser Microfusion. During the meeting, key issues related to cooperation in the field of research related to thermonuclear fusion were discussed. Participants exchanged experiences and determined the direction of the future joint research and development project.

The meeting was also an opportunity to strengthen relations between researchers and institutions that play a key role in research on modern energy technologies, including projects related to nuclear fusion and the development of plasma systems.

Photo: IPPLM