The VTF is a fundamental physics research group, and its research has wide-ranging and immediate impact on our understanding of such plasma-related subjects as solar flares, the aurora borealis, magnetic confinement fusion, and magnetohydrodynamic theory in general. The VTF was built and originally led by Dr. Marcel Gaudreau, and prior to its retirement, was led by Dr. Miklos Porkolab and Dr. Jan Egedal, all MIT faculty at the time.