Researchers at PPPL develop a safer, more effective way to create a star on Earth by injecting boron powder into plasma. This technique reduces greenhouse gases and long-term radioactive waste, while increasing heat output for electricity generation.
Researchers at PPPL have developed a novel design that could increase the efficiency of gasoline-fueled internal combustion engines while reducing toxic emissions. The patented method rapidly spins gas inside cylinders to operate at lower temperatures, resulting in lower Nitrogen Oxide emissions and improved fuel economy.
Physicists at PPPL discovered that halo currents offset eddy current forces in tokamaks, leading to unexpected changes in total vertical forces; this finding could enable designers to contain damaging forces for future fusion facilities like ITER.
Physicist Fatima Ebrahimi's high-resolution simulations show that CHI can produce continuous current in larger tokamaks, enabling stable fusion plasmas. The technique creates magnetic bubbles to induce current, which could be used in fusion facilities worldwide
A US Department of Energy-backed robotic system has successfully identified the source of nuclear radiation and verified if it was shielded. The 'inspector bot' could be part of a swarm to inspect facilities like gas centrifuge enrichment plants, detect undeclared uranium use, or verify disarmament treaties.
Researchers at PPPL develop new mathematical tools to forecast wave presence in fusion experiments, providing new methods for maintaining plasma confinement. Meanwhile, scientists also find unexpected links between astrophysical processes and small-scale experiments, shedding light on magnetic reconnection.
Researchers at Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory create simulation framework to fine-tune plasma startup recipes for NSTX-U and MAST-U experiments. The tool enables operators to quickly achieve a balance between electric and magnetic fields, significantly reducing experimentation time.
Scientists at PPPL have developed new findings on the physics governing the balance of pressure in the scrape-off layer, which is essential for predicting plasma pressure in future fusion facilities. The research could lead to accurate forecasts for international ITER and other next-generation tokamaks.
A new mathematical technique developed by Caoxiang Zhu at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory can help simplify the design of stellarators, reducing construction time and costs. The method identifies irregular magnetic fields produced by stellarator coils, allowing for the creation of more stable plasmas.
Stoltzfus-Dueck will develop and test models for plasma confinement, a crucial step towards harnessing fusion reactions. His research aims to increase understanding of next-generation fusion plasmas and enhance the control of edge turbulence.
Researchers discovered a small misalignment of magnetic coils in a tokamak facility that caused errors and deviations from optimal alignment, leading to increased localized heating and reduced plasma rotation. The findings have implications for future fusion devices like ITER, with improved engineering tolerance requirements proposed.
Researchers at Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory reproduced the process behind astrophysical shocks, bridging the gap between laboratory and spacecraft observations. The experiments showed how plasma interactions can cause sudden jumps in pressure and magnetic field strength, accelerating particles to near light speed.
Physicists have confirmed an updated computer code can predict and prevent leaks in fusion plasmas, reducing energy loss and damaging machines. The revised TRANSP code accurately models particle behavior, enabling better understanding and prediction of instability effects.
A nationwide program to unify research on liquid metal components for future tokamaks will be coordinated by Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory's Rajesh Maingi. The three-year project aims to develop a strategy for coating the divertor with flowing liquid lithium to protect it from extreme heat.
Researchers studied EMIC waves to reveal plasma characteristics and temperature/density within the magnetosphere. This knowledge could provide insights into space weather effects on our planet and aid fusion energy development.
Researchers propose a new measurement technique to stabilize plasma in next-generation magnetic fusion devices. By combining Electron Cyclotron Emission data with high-neutron environment imaging, the system provides robust diagnostics for mapping and controlling plasma equilibrium.
Researchers found that injecting tiny beryllium pellets into the plasma could trigger small eruptions called ELMs, stabilizing fusion reactions. This technique could potentially reduce the risk of large ELMs and damage to the ITER facility.
Physicist Will Fox receives the 2019 Thomas H. Stix Award for his original and seminal experiments on magnetic reconnection, ion Weibel instability, and shocks in laboratory astrophysics. His work investigates plasma processes that accelerate particles to enormous energies in the cosmos.
Physicists at PPPL used codes developed at General Atomics to compare theoretical predictions of electron and ion turbulent transport with findings of the first campaign of the NSTX-U. Analysis found that a major factor behind energy losses was anomalous electron transport, which spread rapidly like milk mixing with coffee.
Researchers have found a new obstacle to effective accelerator beam pulses by forming 'electrostatic solitary waves' that reduce neutralization. Widening the filament injecting electrons into the beam can improve neutralization rates.
A team of scientists has created a stable, supersonic, and strongly magnetized plasma jet in a laboratory setting. The team successfully used advanced diagnostics to confirm the jet's formation and characterize its properties.
Researchers have developed a machine learning model to rapidly predict plasma behavior, allowing for real-time control of fusion reactions on Earth. The new model reduces calculation time from minutes to microseconds, enabling faster decision-making during experiments.
Researchers have upgraded a device to test lithium's ability to maintain heat and protect walls in a tokamak, which could help bring fusion energy to Earth. The machine uses a coating of lithium to cover the interior wall of the small tokamak, aiming to replicate fusion on Earth for virtually inexhaustible power.
A team of scientists has applied deep learning to forecast sudden disruptions in fusion reactions, enabling more accurate predictions and potentially unlocking clean and virtually limitless fusion energy. The Fusion Recurrent Neural Network (FRNN) code also opens pathways for controlling disruptions.
Researchers have discovered a hill-like bump of electric charge at the X-point in tokamaks, which prevents plasma particles from traveling straight between upstream and downstream areas. This finding could lead to more accurate predictions about exhaust and make future large-scale facilities less vulnerable to internal damage.
Researchers confirm effectiveness of transient coaxial helical injection (CHI) technique, which could facilitate constant fusion reactions and free up space in compact spherical tokamaks. The technique eliminates the need for a central magnet, simplifying design and potentially improving performance.
Physicist Jon Menard's study examines the potential of compact tokamaks with high-temperature superconducting magnets to produce fusion reactions. The findings suggest that lower aspect ratios could improve plasma stability and confinement, but also require new techniques to produce initial plasma current.
The US Department of Energy has extended Princeton University's contract to manage and operate the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory through March 31, 2022. The extended contract emphasizes collaboration among the University, lab, and DOE, with a focus on advancing research in fusion energy.
Research by the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory and international team of scientists shows that twisted magnetic fields have a limited number of possible evolutions, leading to the formation of a torus shape. The helicity of the twist constrains the outward expansion of plasma, resulting in a self-organized structure.
Researchers at Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory have developed the first fully kinetic model of plasma behavior, demonstrating that fast magnetic reconnection can occur in partially ionized systems. This finding has implications for understanding auroras and the formation of stars.
A novel experiment at PPPL has demonstrated the validity of magnetorotational instability (MRI) theory, which explains how stars and planets form from accretion disks. The study found that weakly tethered rotating balls gained angular momentum and shifted outward, consistent with MRI predictions.
Researchers have developed a novel prototype to rapidly control plasma disruptions in fusion facilities. The 'electromagnetic particle injector' (EPI) device uses high-velocity projectiles to release material into the plasma, reducing its impact on the tokamak walls.
Physicists at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory have directly observed a possible process that can trigger damaging ELMs in tokamak devices. The findings reveal correlations between fluctuations in plasma density and magnetic field fluctuations, which could lead to a new method for triggering ELMs.
Researchers at Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory have discovered a process that can help control disruptions in fusion plasmas, a key challenge for generating clean energy. The process focuses on stabilizing tearing modes, which create magnetic islands that can trigger disruptive events and halt fusion reactions.
Scientists at Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory found that plasmoids can alter turbulent energy spectrum in conducting fluids, creating localized intense electric current sheets. This process influences how heat flows through the sun and other astrophysical objects.
Experiments at PPPL demonstrate striking similarities between laboratory findings and satellite observations of magnetic reconnection in space. Researchers found that electron and ion currents flow perpendicular to the magnetic field, converting energy and leading to northern lights, solar flares, and geomagnetic storms.
Researchers from PPPL presented their work on controlling plasma instabilities in fusion reactions, enabling high-performance plasmas. They also explored the formation of stars and planets through experiments on black hole magnetorotational instability.
Researchers at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory found that plasma turbulence could amplify magnetic fields to dynamical strengths in a hot, dilute plasma, such as those residing within clusters of galaxies. This discovery provides a possible answer to one of the most important unsolved problems in plasma astrophysics.
Researchers found that the Biermann effect can sever magnetic field lines, triggering magnetic reconnection. The discovery was made through computer simulations of high-energy-density plasma experiments, revealing a previously unknown mechanism in astrophysical plasmas.
Researchers identified tail electrons as the source of whistler waves, which help satellites determine their location in space. The discovery marks a new methodology for measuring wave propagation in reconnection, indicating that whistler waves are generated near active X-lines.
Nat Fisch, a renowned researcher at Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, has received the 2018 Distinguished Career Award from Fusion Power Associates. The award recognizes his decades-long contributions to plasma science and fusion power, as well as his role in advancing education and research in the field.
Researchers developed a predictive model to identify the most beneficial 3D distortions for controlling edge localized modes (ELMs) in tokamaks. The KSTAR facility validated these predictions with remarkable accuracy, paving the way for ITER's successful operation.
Researchers have successfully controlled plasma instabilities in a way that could lead to the efficient operation of ITER, a key step towards harnessing fusion power. The experiments used high-pressure plasmas and resonant magnetic perturbations to suppress large ELMs and produce benign ones.
A team of scientists at GE and PPPL has developed an advanced plasma switch that can convert high-voltage DC current to AC current efficiently, reducing the cost of long-distance power transmission. The switch uses helium gas inside a tube filled with plasma, which is more efficient than existing semiconductor switches.
US and international physicists made substantial progress toward planning a system for mitigating disruptions on ITER, which can seriously damage the facility. Key methods outlined include shattered pellet injection to control disruptions, as well as simulation tools to predict plasma behavior and predict disruptions in time.
Researchers at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory have discovered a mechanism called magnetic flux pumping that stabilizes plasma in tokamaks, preventing sawtooth gyrations and halting fusion reactions. This breakthrough could lead to the development of fusion energy by regulating plasma current and pressure.
Davidovits won the award for his outstanding thesis research on turbulence in compressing fluids and plasma, with a focus on novel mechanisms and applications in inertial-confinement-fusion and astrophysical plasmas. His work has significant implications for plasma physics research.
A record-breaking achievement by Germany's Wendelstein 7-X stellarator facility suggests that stellarator design can replicate the sun's fusion on Earth. The U.S.-based PPPL diagnostic played a crucial role in this feat.
Physicists Dr. Nate Ferraro and Dr. Sam Lazerson of PPPL have won Early Career Research awards to develop better designs for doughnut-shaped tokamaks and twisty stellarators, aiming to produce virtually inexhaustible fusion power. They will focus on minimizing disruptions and confining energetic particles in stellarators.
Researchers have developed a new model that challenges long-held assumptions about magnetic islands in fusion plasas. The study found that turbulence can penetrate into islands and plasma flow across them can be strongly sheared, allowing for sustained plasma confinement despite island growth.