Oliver Schmitz shares fusion energy expertise on PBS’ “Energy Switch”

Oliver Schmitz, Thomas and Suzanne Werner Professor of nuclear engineering and engineering physics and associate dean for research innovation in the University of Wisconsin-Madison College of Engineering, was featured in the season four premiere of “Energy Switch” on PBS, discussing the current state and potential future of fusion energy with host Scott Tinker and Zabrina Johal, senior director of strategic development at General Atomics.

Watch the full episode, which aired on April 1, 2024, at PBS.org.

“Energy Switch” is an energy and climate point-counterpoint talk show, featuring America’s leading experts, moderated by energy scientist and television host Scott Tinker.

Schmitz’s research focuses on the interactions between high-temperature plasmas and fusion reactor walls in the presence of three-dimensional plasma boundaries. He is also one of the co-founders of Realta Fusion, a startup company working to develop fusion for industrial heat generation. The company is building a first-of-its-kind compact neutron source, and it aims to later to produce fusion energy via a compact but powerful magnetic mirror. Realta was spun out of a research project funded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agency–Energy.