Massimo Zucchetti

Massimo Zucchetti is a Full Professor at Politecnico di Torino, Department of Energy (DENERG), where he has been teaching Radiation Protection and Nuclear Power Plants. He maintains a significant international presence as a Research Affiliate at the Plasma Science and Fusion Center at MIT, a position he has held since 2005. His academic journey began at Politecnico di Torino, where he graduated in Nuclear Engineering in 1986 and completed his PhD in Energetica between 1986-1990. He progressed through the academic ranks at Politecnico di Torino from Associate Professor (1998-2002) to Full Professor (2002-present), with prior research experience at the European Commission Joint Research Centre.

Zucchetti's research spans nuclear fusion engineering, radioactive waste management, and energy policy. His work focuses particularly on controlled thermonuclear fusion, nuclear safety, and radioactive waste management, with emphasis on tritium transport in fusion reactors, safety analysis of fusion power plants, and environmental impact assessment. He has led multiple significant research projects including TITANS (Tritium Impact and Transfer in Advanced Nuclear reactorS, 2022-2025), components for ITER (2008-2010), and innovative materials for fusion reactors (2004-2006). As coordinator of the IEA Program on Environmental, Safety and Economic Aspects of Fusion Power, he plays a key role in international fusion research collaboration.

His recent publications show a clear trend toward practical applications of fusion technology, particularly in the ARC (Affordable Robust Compact) reactor design. These works emphasize neutronics, thermal-hydraulics, tritium management, and safety analysis for compact fusion systems. His research demonstrates increasing focus on making fusion energy more commercially viable through innovative engineering solutions while maintaining rigorous safety standards. The interdisciplinary nature of his work connects nuclear engineering with environmental science and energy policy.

• Fellow of Plasma Science and Fusion Center, MIT (2015-present)
• Research Affiliate Fellow at Laboratory for Nuclear Science, MIT (2005-2015)
• Nomination for 2015 Nobel Prize in Physics for research on advanced fuel nuclear fusion
• Editor-in-Chief of multiple journals including International Journal of Ecosystems and Ecology Science and Journal of International Environmental Application & Science

Zucchetti actively mentors PhD students in the Energetica program at Politecnico di Torino, with current advisees working on topics ranging from multiphysics modeling in ARC-class reactors to innovative materials for next-generation nuclear reactors. He coordinates significant research grants from competitive funding programs including EURATOM and PRIN. His laboratory work focuses on fusion reactor components, particularly breeding blankets and tritium management systems. The TESIN research group within DENERG serves as his primary research team, working on thermal-hydraulic analysis, neutronics, and safety assessments for advanced nuclear systems.