Marjaana Karhu

VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Marjaana Karhu is a researcher specializing in advanced manufacturing and welding technologies for fusion energy applications. Her work focuses on the development of precision welding and cutting techniques critical to the construction and maintenance of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), the world’s largest fusion experiment. Her most-cited paper, "ITER lip seal welding and cutting developments" (2015), details innovations in remote handling and sealing processes essential for maintaining the vacuum integrity of fusion reactors. While her citation count is modest, her contributions are highly specialized and directly support the engineering challenges of next-generation energy systems. Karhu’s research bridges the gap between theoretical design and practical implementation, addressing the demanding requirements of high-temperature, high-radiation environments. Her work has been recognized within the fusion engineering community for its role in enabling safe and efficient reactor maintenance. By tackling the intricate problems of lip seal welding and cutting, Karhu has helped advance the feasibility of commercial fusion power, making her a key contributor to one of the most ambitious scientific projects of the 21st century.