Andrea Reale

National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Andrea Reale is a leading researcher in nuclear fusion engineering, specializing in remote handling (RH) systems and laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) for extreme environments. Her work is pivotal to the maintenance and safety of next-generation fusion reactors, particularly the Divertor Tokamak Test (DTT) facility. Reale’s major contributions include pioneering the integration of LIBS with robotic arms for *in situ* material analysis inside tokamak vessels. Her 2020 study, cited 49 times, demonstrated LIBS measurements inside the FTU vessel mock-up, establishing a non-destructive method to assess plasma-facing component erosion and fuel retention. This was followed by a 2021 paper (30 citations) validating the technique inside the actual FTU vacuum vessel, a critical step toward autonomous reactor diagnostics. Notably, Reale is the lead architect of the DTT REMote HAndling Test and Training Facility (REMHAT), a 2023 design that will qualify RH procedures for the DTT’s challenging environment. Her work bridges the gap between laboratory diagnostics and operational fusion systems, directly enabling safer, more efficient reactor maintenance. With a growing citation impact, Reale is shaping the future of remote handling in fusion energy.