Safoora Chaudhary: Fusion Energy Insights Intern
This summer, Fusion Energy Insights took on 2 interns as part of the UKAEA Fusion Industry Programme (Education scheme). This aims to increase the supply of highly-skilled students into the fusion sector by funding internships in fusion businesses.
Fusion needs the younger generations--both right now as we develop fusion to commercialisation and the industry expands rapidly, but also in the future when the world is using fusion to power its cities and industries.
Safoora Chaudhary is one of our interns, working alongside Isabella Cooper - Brown. Read on to find out what makes her tick!
Where and what are you currently studying?
I study Aerospace Engineering at the University Of Birmingham.
What are your career aspirations/what are your plans after you have completed your degree?
I hope to become a chartered engineer and work towards sustainable developments in the aerospace industry .
What ignited your interest in Fusion Energy and what excites you about it?
The intersection of aerospace and fusion products really ignited my interest. For example, the demand for fusion powered rockets, or compact fusion reactors that would aid in reducing the polluting caused by the industry – aviation produces 2.1% of all human induced carbon dioxide emissions.
What excites me about Fusion Energy is how it has the capability to transform our world as we know it. Its integration would mean a renewable, reliable energy source that has minimal waste products and is exactly what the climate crisis is demanding. Not to mention its usefulness in other sectors, such as healthcare.
What have you most enjoyed about being an intern for FEI?
I have really enjoyed witnessing how the fusion industry is a team effort. Everyone works together towards the goal of its commercialisation and are passionate about achieving results. From the physicists to the engineers to the interns. It is a truly inspiring place to work. We also went to see several sites including Tokamak Energy who gave a fascinating insight to not only the theoretical physics of fusion, but of the engineering applications of their products. I particularly enjoyed seeing the systematic development of high temperature superconducting tape into eventual toroidal field coils.
Share something about yourself, what do you like to do when not working/studying
Outside of work and studying I coach chess to kids, a game I am an avid fan of and have been playing since I was younger myself.
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