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Island retreat: Fuel injection helps reduce magnetic island instabilities

Researchers have discovered that injecting frozen hydrogen fuel pellets into a fusion reactor's plasma can help repair tears in the surrounding magnetic field, reducing magnetic island instabilities. This approach may improve the efficiency of future fusion power plants by freeing up resources needed for magnetic stability.

Simulations fix the cracks in magnetic mirrors

Physicists have found that by fine-tuning the electromagnet configurations and initial plasma properties, magnetic mirrors can achieve longer confinement times and lower loss rates. This could make them ideal for new particle physics experiments.

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Fusion's path to practicality

TAE Technologies, backed by DOE funding through INCITE program, aims to achieve commercially viable nuclear fusion energy. The company's FRC device seeks to confine plasma at high temperatures for extended periods, paving the way for sustainable, carbon-free energy production.

As hot as the sun's interior

Researchers at Friedrich Schiller University Jena have successfully created plasma using nanowires and long-wavelength ultrashort pulse lasers. The new method achieves higher temperatures than previously thought possible in a laboratory setting, opening up new avenues for studying plasma and its properties.

CubeSats prove their worth for scientific missions

Science-oriented CubeSats like MinXSS can collect valuable data on solar flares and the Sun's atmosphere, consistent with large satellites. The success of these small satellites has led to new funding opportunities for CubeSat science missions.

Shrimp claw inspires new method of underwater plasma generation

Researchers at Texas A&M University have developed a new method of underwater plasma generation using a snapping shrimp's claw, producing jets of plasma reaching over 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit. This discovery could provide significant improvements for actions ranging from water sterilization to drilling.

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

Researchers turn liquid metal into a plasma

Scientists at the University of Rochester's LLE have successfully turned a liquid metal into a plasma, exhibiting classical properties at high temperatures. This discovery has implications for better understanding stars and planets, as well as realizing controlled nuclear fusion, a promising alternative energy source.

Scientists discover a process that stabilizes fusion plasmas

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.

Successful second round of experiments with Wendelstein 7-X

The Wendelstein 7-X experiment achieved record-high plasma densities of up to 2 x 10**20 particles per cubic meter and temperatures of 20 million degrees Celsius. These results are significant milestones in fusion research, demonstrating the potential for stellarators to achieve high-quality confinement.

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

Why a stream of plasma makes chemical reactions more efficient

Using computer modeling, a team discovered that plasmas activate metal catalysts in packed bed reactors, causing faster and more efficient chemical reactions. This process could lead to more efficient processes for removing air pollution, converting CO2 into fuels, and producing fertilizer.

Peak performance: new stellarator experiments show promising results

The Wendelstein 7-X superconducting stellarator successfully completes its first operational phase, demonstrating stable and high-density plasma conditions. The experiment's goal is to achieve temperatures of over 10 million degrees in plasmas using microwaves, a crucial step towards realizing fusion power.

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

No more zigzags: Scientists uncover mechanism that stabilizes fusion plasmas

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.

Wendelstein 7-X achieves world record

Researchers at Max-Planck-Institut für Plasmaphysik achieved a record-breaking fusion product with Wendelstein 7-X, lasting up to 26 seconds and reaching temperatures of 40 million degrees. The device's optimized magnetic field geometry also demonstrated improved thermal insulation and low bootstrap current.

Quantum mechanics runs hot in a cold plasma: UBC research

Researchers have discovered a way to create an ultracold plasma that naturally forms a robust many-body localized state, enabling the spontaneous creation of quantum materials. This breakthrough could pave the way for more practical applications of quantum technology.

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

Osaka university researchers make the slipperiest surfaces adhesive

Researchers at Osaka University have developed a new method to make non-stick fluoropolymers adhesive by combining heat and plasma treatments. This approach improves the bonding strength of PTFE with other materials, avoiding the use of harsh chemicals and increasing its industrial applications.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Wendelstein 7-X: Second round of experimentation started

The second round of experimentation has begun at Wendelstein 7-X, a stellarator designed to produce power from fusion reactions. The upgrade includes new heating and measuring facilities, graphite wall tiles, and ten divertor modules, which will allow for higher temperatures and plasma discharges.

Ion temperature of one hundred million degrees achieved

Researchers at National Institutes of Natural Sciences successfully generated plasma with an ion temperature of 100 million degrees, a key milestone toward achieving burning plasma for fusion. The high-temperature plasma exhibits characteristics suitable for fusion reactor plasmas.

Finally, understanding how the sun's spicules are made

Spicules are violently driven jets of plasma that occur thousands of times per day, yet their origin is poorly understood. The new model resolves this mystery by explaining how magnetic fields and solar plasma interact to generate spicules.

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Calculating 1 billion plasma particles in a supercomputer

Researchers at National Institutes of Natural Sciences successfully simulated a plasma blob's movement with unprecedented accuracy, calculating 1 billion particles. This breakthrough allows for finely detailed analyses of the plasma's internal structure and temperature distribution, greatly improving prediction accuracy.

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

Study shows blood products unaffected by drone trips

Researchers from Johns Hopkins Medicine have found that drone transportation of large bags of blood products can maintain their temperature and cellular integrity. The study suggests drones are an effective way to transport blood products to remote areas or time-sensitive destinations.

Springer launches new journal Reviews of Modern Plasma Physics

The journal aims to provide cutting-edge reviews and tutorials on plasma physics, benefiting graduate students and young researchers. Published exclusively online by Springer, it will cover various fields of plasma physics, including natural and laboratory plasmas.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Fusion reactor designs with 'long legs' show promise

Researchers found that long-leg plasma exhaust channels can handle high power densities, exceeding material limits. The configuration promotes the build-up of high gas pressures in the legs, enabling a stable radiating layer to fully accommodate plasma heat exhaust.

From Germany comes a new twist for fusion research

The Wendelstein 7-X (W7-X) experiment in Germany has achieved impressive initial plasma results, pushing the boundaries of magnetic confinement. The device uses a unique twist design to optimize plasma confinement on both individual-particle and macroscopic scales.

Breakthrough in Z-pinch implosion stability opens new path to fusion

Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories have demonstrated improved control over and understanding of implosions in a Z-pinch, enabling the creation of thermonuclear fusion-relevant densities and temperatures. The breakthrough was enabled by unforeseen physics that led to unprecedented implosion stability due to helical modes rather...

Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Clarifying the fusion plasma confinement improvement mechanism

Researchers have discovered a new mechanism for generating electric currents that leads to improved plasma confinement, solving a long-standing problem in fusion reactor development. The study found that the difference in trajectories between electrons and ions plays a crucial role in creating this electric current.

PPPL scientists help test innovative device to improve efficiency of tokamaks

Researchers at PPPL designed and tested a 'liquid lithium limiter' that circulated protective liquid metal within the walls of China's EAST tokamak, keeping plasma from cooling down and halting fusion reactions. The system improved tokamak performance by reducing impurities and maintaining optimal plasma conditions.

New plasma source favorable for hydrogen negative ion beam is developed

The team discovered a new plasma wave phenomenon leading to the development of a negative ion source for fusion plasma heating. The newly developed plasma source utilizes a helicon wave to produce high-temperature electrons, which are then neutralized and injected into the magnetically-confined plasma core.

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

Compressing turbulence to improve inertial confinement fusion experiments

New findings suggest that turbulent plasma could improve inertial confinement fusion experiments by storing energy. The compression of fluid turbulence was modeled to show a positive impact on ICF experiments, suggesting a new design for compression-based fusion research. However, caveats and challenges remain in the field.

Discovery of a new confinement state for plasma

Researchers at National Institute for Fusion Science have discovered a new confinement state inside a magnetic island, essential for improving fusion reactor plasma confinement. This breakthrough was achieved through the 'momentary heating propagation method' and has implications for future fusion research.

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

Made to order: Researchers discover a new form of crystalline matter

A team of researchers from Auburn University, the University of Iowa and the University of California, San Diego, discovered a new form of crystalline-like matter in strongly magnetized dusty plasma. The lattice properties can be imposed arbitrarily by an external grid/mesh structure, creating unique geometric patterns.

World's largest atom smashers produce world's smallest droplets

Researchers at Vanderbilt University have successfully created tiny drops of quark-gluon plasma using the Large Hadron Collider, exhibiting coherent behavior and flowing properties similar to those of liquids. The findings shed new light on the formation process of these primordial droplets.

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

UW researchers scaling up fusion hopes with DOE grant

University of Washington researchers are scaling up their 'Sheared Flow Stabilized Z-Pinch' device in hopes of achieving a sustainable fusion reaction. With a $5.3 million grant, they aim to create a proof-of-principle experiment that demonstrates the concept's scalability.

Tiny grains of lithium dramatically improve performance of fusion plasma

Scientists have discovered that injecting tiny grains of lithium into a plasma can dramatically improve its temperature and pressure, doubling the pressure at the outer edge and increasing the length of time it remains high. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient fusion reactions and potentially shorten the development timeline.

PPPL physicist wins Early Career Research Program grant

Delgado-Aparicio's research aims to eliminate impurities that cool plasma and halt fusion reactions, crucial for ITER and NSTX-U experiments. His $2.6M grant will fund development of a complex diagnostic tool to analyze impurity reactions with plasma.

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

York scientists lead study on new treatment for prostate cancer

Researchers at the University of York have found a potential new treatment for organ-confined prostate cancer using low-temperature plasmas. The study, published in the British Journal of Cancer, suggests LTPs may be a viable alternative to current radiotherapy and photodynamic therapy treatments.

Plasma: Casimir and Yukawa mesons

Researchers discovered a connection between nuclear particles and electromagnetic theories via plasmas, suggesting an equivalence between generalized Casimir forces and weak nuclear interactions. The study found that long-range electromagnetic fluctuations differ from those in vacuum conditions.

Postcards from the plasma edge

Researchers improved plasma performance by applying lithium coatings, but the mechanism behind this improvement remains unclear. A new laboratory experiment found that temperature affects lithium's ability to retain deuterium particles, with oxygen exposure improving retention at lower temperatures.