Filipe da Silva, a researcher at the Institute for Plasmas and Nuclear Fusion (IPFN), won the ANACOM-URSI Portugal 2025 Prize for the work “Advances in real-time reflectometry plasma tracking for next-generation machines – Application to DEMO”. The prize was presented at the 19th Congress of the Portuguese Committee of URSI, held on 21 November 2025 at ANACOM’s headquarters in Lisbon.
The awarded research proposes that reflectometry can reliably track the position and shape of the plasma column during dynamic phases such as start-up and ramp‑down, while also enhancing steady‑state operation by providing a precise real‑time alternative to magnetic positioning diagnostics, a capability crucial for the control and diagnostics of future reactors such as DEMO.
Filipe Silva recognises that “the prize gives strong momentum to our research”. “Several current projects have already emerged as direct spin-offs of this initiative”, he added, highlighting that the tools and methods developed under this project continue to shape subsequent investigations.
“Being recognised by a wider scientific community is deeply rewarding and affirms the relevance of our work”, says the researcher. This distinction also reinforces the broader impact of the research carried out at IPFN and encourages the team to pursue the efforts with renewed determination.
The main challenges during the execution of the project were the need to coordinate the work of 18 participants and collaborators from seven institutions across five countries. Ensuring that their contributions were aligned and that the partial results from different teams integrated smoothly and on schedule required careful organisation, noting that his effort was instrumental in consolidating the project’s outcomes.
The URSI Portugal Research Prize was created by the Portuguese Committee of URSI, sponsored by ANACOM, to stimulate creativity and rigour in scientific research in Portugal.
The congress, themed “New Frontiers of Technological Innovation for Health,” convened researchers and practitioners to explore applications of radioscience in healthcare, including screening, diagnostics, data analytics and personalised medicine. The award recognises outstanding contributions in radio science and electromagnetic technologies.
