National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU)

Intelligence Summary: NYCU — National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University

Node Identity: National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU) is a major Taiwanese research university involved in plasma physics and fusion energy research. NYCU operates Taiwan's FIRST (Formosa Integrated Research Spherical Tokamak) device — the country's first tokamak — as part of a collaborative effort led by the National Atomic Research Institute (NARI, formerly INER) with NCKU, NTHU, and the National Center for High-Performance Computing (NCHC). The FIRST project is a four-year, NT$250 million (US$7.6 million) integrated initiative launched in March 2023.

Strategic Relevance: NYCU's involvement in the FIRST tokamak project places it at the center of Taiwan's emerging fusion energy program. The spherical tokamak configuration — the same concept pursued by the UK's MAST Upgrade, the US's NSTX-U, and private companies like Tokamak Energy and Commonwealth Fusion Systems — represents a strategically significant technology choice. Taiwan's entry into experimental fusion plasma research provides foundational plasma physics expertise that complements its defense-oriented DEW programs at NCSIST. The FIRST device's focus on high bootstrap current fraction (100% target) and high-β operation aligns with advanced steady-state tokamak reactor concepts, positioning Taiwan to contribute to global compact fusion development.

Technical Focus / Capabilities: FIRST is a low-aspect-ratio (1.5) spherical tokamak with R=45cm, a=32cm, elongation κ=2.4, magnetic field 0.1–0.5T, plasma current ≥100kA, and target electron temperature ≥100eV (~1 million °C). Phase I (March 2023–February 2025) completed detailed design; Phase II (March 2025–February 2027) focuses on construction, procurement, and assembly with full system integration expected by 2026 and operational testing in 2027. The project employs an AI-assisted three-layer control architecture for real-time plasma monitoring — a modern approach reflecting Taiwan's strengths in computing and AI. NYCU also hosts pulsed-power generator, soft X-ray/EUV source, and plasma thruster research capabilities.

Network Linkage: NYCU operates the FIRST Tokamak as part of the NARI-led collaborative fusion project. The FIRST collaboration connects NYCU to NCSIST's defense R&D ecosystem through shared plasma physics expertise. Taiwan has expanded fusion cooperation with institutions in the US, Japan, South Korea, UK, and Germany, providing international technology transfer pathways that connect NYCU to global fusion research networks.