Dennis G. Whyte

Dennis G. Whyte is the Hitachi America Professor of Engineering at MIT, leading the Plasma Science and Fusion Center (PSFC) and the SPARC fusion project in collaboration with Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS). He holds a BEng from the University of Saskatchewan, and an MS and PhD from Université du Québec. His research focuses on magnetic fusion energy, plasma-surface interactions, and accelerator-based material analysis. Notable awards include the Fusion Power Associates Leadership Award (2018) and the Nuclear Fusion Journal Prize. He teaches courses on fusion energy and technology, including 22.62 and 22.63. His work on SPARC aims to achieve net fusion energy through advanced high-field superconducting magnets, a breakthrough validated in 2021 with a 20-tesla magnet demonstration.

Research interests span boundary plasma physics in tokamaks, plasma diagnostics, and fusion reactor design. He has pioneered concepts like the ARC power plant and liquid blankets, emerging from student design courses he led. Over 300 publications and interdisciplinary collaborations highlight his contributions to fusion’s practical application. Grants and industry partnerships reflect his push to accelerate fusion energy’s commercialization, positioning SPARC as a pivotal step toward sustainable clean energy.

Labs and teams include the PSFC and CFS collaborations, emphasizing rapid experimentation and modular design. His leadership in national and international panels underscores fusion’s global strategic importance. Recent projects include the MIT-CFS collaboration’s 20T magnet milestone, advancing fusion toward grid-readiness by 2025.