Articles tagged with Plasma
Researchers at the DOE's Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory discovered a process in plasma swirling around black holes that causes previously unexplained emissions of light and heat. The process, known as magnetic reconnection, also jettisons huge plumes of plasma billions of miles in length.
Physicists at PPPL have discovered a new way to measure and understand high-energy-density plasmas, which are essential for fine-tuning inertial confinement fusion experiments. The study revealed that ion temperatures and electron temperatures were not equivalent, providing new insights into the behavior of these extreme states of matter.
Researchers track migration of fast ions, revealing routes influenced by Alfvén waves. The observed patterns suggest a large-scale migration among different routes, with some ions escaping the core and others returning to it.
Recent simulations using Gkeyll reveal that neutral particles significantly impact plasma density, temperature, and flow levels in the scrape-off layer region of tokamaks. The inclusion of neutrals leads to reduced plasma fluctuations and slower blob motion.
A new coil design could mitigate disruption-driven runaway electrons in tokamaks. The SPARC team's innovative coil structure addresses the threat by introducing a non-axisymmetric perturbation that spoils confinement and protects the machine.
A new study from the University of Southampton demonstrates a safe method to clean and reuse facemask respirators using advanced low-temperature plasma technology. This technique can remove 99.99% of coronavirus while maintaining filter performance, reducing plastic waste by approximately 70%.
The PHAse Space MApping experiment, a complex plasma physics research project at WVU, aims to study the motion of ions and electrons in plasmas. The facility can measure three-dimensional motion at very small scales and is capable of performing detailed measurements.
Researchers create a novel framework for generating and detecting Lamb waves in transparent materials without damaging the sample. They use laser-induced plasma shock waves and high-speed polarization cameras to spot microscopic scratches, demonstrating potential for non-contact damage detection.
Scientists at PPPL have developed a new technique to design powerful magnets for tokamaks using stellarator computer code, enabling more efficient confinement and control of plasma. This innovation can aid the construction of fusion facilities by compensating for imprecision and suppressing plasma instabilities.
Researchers at PPPL have designed a novel X-ray crystal spectrometer to measure fine structure in HED plasmas, revealing their state of matter under extreme conditions. The new spectrometer addresses design challenges such as reducing statistical errors and improving energy resolution for NIF-produced HED plasmas.
Chun Shen, a Wayne State University physics professor, has been awarded a $750,000 grant from the Department of Energy to study Quark-Gluon Plasma properties. His research aims to develop a new open-source framework to decode hot nuclear matter properties.
A new study highlights the surprising similarities between quark-gluon plasma, the first matter thought to have filled the early Universe, and ordinary liquids. The ratio of viscosity and density is crucial in determining fluid flow, and researchers found that this ratio is the same for both quark-gluon plasma and water.
Researchers have developed a novel hybrid accelerator that uses both plasma acceleration and electron bunches to accelerate particles to high energies. The new technology has the potential to shrink existing accelerators by up to 1000 times, making them more compact and cost-effective.
Scientists at Max-Planck-Gesellschaft report a breakthrough in plasma wakefield acceleration technology. They successfully timed the production of proton microbunches that drive a wave in the plasma, fulfilling an important prerequisite for using Awake technology in collision experiments.
Scientists at Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory have developed a new computer model that accurately predicts the behavior of plasma in the sun's solar corona. This breakthrough could lead to better space weather predictions and improve the understanding of magnetic reconnection, which drives the fusion reactions that power the sun.
Researchers at DESY have achieved two critical milestones in developing innovative plasma accelerators. By combining nitrogen and artificial intelligence, they significantly reduced the energy distribution of accelerated electron bunches, a crucial property for various applications. The team also successfully used AI to optimize the ac...
Researchers have developed a method called 'quasi-symmetry' that can minimize the negative effects of magnetic field errors in fusion reactors, improving stability and energy confinement. This breakthrough could accelerate the development of fusion energy as a safe and limitless source of power.
The ZARATHUSTRA project aims to develop electrodeless plasma thrusters that consume less propellant, allowing for longer and more ambitious space missions. The new thruster design features a U-shaped geometry and a toroidal magnetic field, which should improve efficiency and durability.
Researchers at KAIST discovered that plasma jets produce more stable interactions with water surfaces compared to neutral gas jets, reducing bubbling and splashing. The study's findings will help improve our understanding of plasma-liquid interactions and their applications in various industrial fields.
The DOE/Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory has predicted a far larger and less damaging heat-load width for the full-power operation of ITER, contradicting previous estimates. The new formula produces a forecast that is over six-times wider than those developed by simple extrapolation.
A National Academies report calls for a US fusion pilot plant to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon emission electrical system. The pilot plant should be operational by 2035-2040, with innovations in fusion confinement concepts and technology development needed.
Researchers from Shibaura Institute of Technology have developed a non-contact, non-destructive method to measure the firmness of soft fruits like mangoes. They use laser-induced plasma shockwaves and analyze the resulting Rayleigh waves to determine ripeness, providing a reliable way to indirectly assess fruit quality.
A new type of rocket thruster could take humankind to Mars and beyond by exploiting the mechanism behind solar flares. The device accelerates plasma particles using magnetic reconnection, a process found throughout the universe, to generate high velocities.
Plasma-grating-induced breakdown spectroscopy (GIBS) overcomes the drawbacks of traditional LIBS techniques, achieving a signal intensity enhancement of more than three times. This technique utilizes a plasma grating to improve measurement stability and sensitivity.
Researchers at PPPL and Commonwealth Fusion Systems successfully simulated particle confinement in the SPARC tokamak device, crucial for achieving commercial fusion energy. The study predicts well-confined alpha particles will minimize damage to the facility, paving the way for plasma self-heating and improved techniques for control.
Simulations reveal that longitudinal fluctuations preferentially mix with ions, leaving electrons cooler, while transverse fluctuations can mix with both. This finding has significant implications for understanding astronomical observations of supermassive black holes.
Researchers have directly observed the formation and interaction of highly ionized krypton plasma using femtosecond coherent ultraviolet light and a novel four-dimensional model. The study reveals strongly nonlinear behavior in laser-plasma interaction, allowing for the creation of well-defined plasma conditions.
Researchers used computer simulations to study the interaction between plasma jets and biological tissue. They found that biomaterial-like surfaces can lead to multiple reflections of the plasma jet, increasing the number of electrons and radicals, which play a role in wound healing, antimicrobial drugs, and cancer therapy.
The Lehigh University's Plasma Control Group has been awarded a $1.5 million DOE grant to investigate the spherical tokamak concept and design more efficient fusion reactors. The team will focus on understanding plasma dynamics and developing advanced control systems to regulate plasmas in closed loops.
A new algorithm helps track fast charged particles in plasma, which could influence fusion reactions. The algorithm conserves energy during pitch-angle scattering, a critical process in fusion plasma.
Researchers found that cold atmospheric plasma can kill the novel coronavirus on surfaces such as plastic, metal, and leather within 30 seconds. The treatment uses argon-fed plasma and has been shown to be effective against other viruses like SARS-CoV-2.
FACET-II will produce highly energetic electron and positron beams, allowing researchers to understand the universe's fundamental particles and forces, as well as biology and chemistry. The facility will also aid in designing brighter-than-ever X-ray lasers and lead to improvements in existing light sources.
Recent experiments by Alexander Volkov have shown that plasma delivery improves seed surface properties, accelerating germination and water uptake. The study suggests that plasma could increase yields in countries with harsh winters, particularly for unusual or high-value crops.
Researchers use plasma to kill pathogenic bacteria and viruses on PPE, with promising results shown for N95 masks and other supplies. A low-cost approach also uses ozone generated by a plasma ball to sterilize PPE, potentially reducing thousands of tons of waste per day.
The US Department of Energy awards $21 million to install and operate new scientific instruments on the National Spherical Tokamak Experiment-Upgrade (NSTX-U) at PPPL. The funding aims to probe key physics problems, validate computer models, and chart a path to next-stage fusion energy research.
Researchers at Osaka University used powerful lasers to recreate relativistic magnetic reconnection, a process responsible for X-ray emissions from black holes. This study may help explain the mysterious X-rays emitted by some celestial bodies.
Two new collaborations aim to capture and control fusion energy, which powers the sun and stars. The partnerships bring together experts from PPPL and private companies Tokamak Energy and General Fusion to advance efforts in modeling and stability.
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory used a tungsten isotope to study the erosion and contamination of plasma in fusion reactors. The experiments aimed to understand how tungsten can be used to armor the reactor without contaminating the plasma, which is essential for achieving sustainable fusion energy.
A revised code upgrade has improved the calculation of forces acting on magnetically confined plasma in fusion energy experiments. The new software, SPEC, enables researchers to determine the boundary of plasma in stellarators more easily, allowing for a better design and performance.
An international team has successfully mapped the global distribution of the coronal magnetic field for the first time. Using observations from the Coronal Multi-channel Polarimeter, they applied a technique called magnetoseismology to infer the average magnitudes of the magnetic field in the corona.
Scientists at Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory discover a network of interacting waves that plays a key role in triggering edge localized modes (ELMs) in fusion facilities. The findings provide new insights into the ELMs process and may help tame potentially damaging processes.
Scientists have discovered that auroral beads are caused by turbulence in the plasma surrounding Earth, which precedes substorms and triggers auroras. The new models provide a broader picture of the near-space environment, helping researchers better understand swirling structures seen in auroras.
Researchers at DOE's Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory have developed a model that accurately reproduces the conditions for ELM suppression in the DIII-D National Fusion Facility. The model predicts wider operational flexibility for tokamaks, enabling enhanced fusion reactor operation and expanding the capabilities of fusion devices.
Researchers at Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory have developed a new model for stabilizing magnetic bubbles in plasma, which can expand and disrupt fusion reactions. By modifying the standard technique of radio frequency wave deposition, they predict that pulsing the waves can overcome leakage problems and improve performance.
The LTX-β upgrade successfully demonstrates the ability of liquid lithium to hold onto stray particles, improving plasma temperature profiles and expanding plasma volume for fusion. The device aims to test whether coating all plasma-facing walls with lithium can enhance plasma confinement and increase temperature.
Researchers at PPPL discovered a phenomenon that causes vital heat to be lost from tokamaks, which could hinder the operation of fusion devices. The study reveals new insights into how chirping forms and how it affects plasma movement.
Researchers at DOE/Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory have gained new insights into the sawtooth instability, a cooling phenomenon that interferes with fusion reactions. The discovery, rooted in abstract mathematics, suggests an alternative explanation for the phenomenon when the safety factor drops to around 0.7.
Researchers have developed a new code, XGC-S, that can simulate the behavior of plasma in stellarators more accurately than before. This advancement aims to improve the design of fusion devices, which could provide a virtually inexhaustible supply of safe and clean power.
Scientists at DOE's Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory develop a control scheme to optimize magnetic field levels, suppressing edge localized modes (ELMs) and maximizing fusion power. The technique uses real-time control to regulate plasma stability, aiming for stable ELM suppression and high fusion performance.
Researchers have discovered a surprising correlation between blobs of turbulence at the edge of fusion plasas and magnetic field fluctuations. This link could help improve the efficiency of fusion reactions, paving the way for clean and virtually limitless energy.
Researchers have made significant progress in understanding plasma behavior at the edge of fusion facilities, which could help achieve fusion power. The Gkeyll code simulates turbulent fluctuations and reduces particle flux near the plasma edge, potentially increasing efficiency.
Researchers at Penn State have successfully developed a novel plasma medicine technique that effectively targets and kills bacteria in liquid cultures without developing resistance. The process uses low-temperature plasma generated from atmospheric pressure or liquids, creating reactive particles with antibacterial effects.
Researchers have demonstrated a prototype device that uses microwave air plasmas for jet propulsion, offering a potentially viable alternative to conventional fossil fuel jet engines. The engine can generate thrusting pressures comparable to those of commercial airplane jet engines using only air and electricity.
Physicists at Goethe University Frankfurt simulated merging neutron stars, predicting a clear signature of quark-gluon plasma in gravitational waves. This finding could provide evidence for the existence of the quark-gluon plasma in the present universe.
Researchers have discovered a new effect called 'RF current condensation' that can stabilize magnetic islands in plasma, allowing for improved control of fusion reactors. By heating the islands with radio waves, scientists can drive electric currents that cause them to shrink and disappear, enhancing stability.
Scientists at Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory have developed a new technique to predict fusion energy performance using advanced mathematical modeling. This approach combines millisecond behavior with longer-term forecasts, enabling accurate predictions of plasma temperature profiles and heat fluxes at significantly reduced computa...
Researchers at DOE's Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory proposed a new theory to explain sawtooth instabilities in plasma, which could lead to more efficient fusion reactions. The theory suggests that localized instabilities can flatten pressure and temperature during the sawtooth cycle, explaining rapid heat collapses.
An international team of scientists used AI to predict disruptions in fusion reactions, avoiding energy release and damage to facilities. The algorithm was trained on thousands of experiments and successfully forecasted disruptions in real-time.
Researchers found that hydrogen ice pellets enhance fusion temperatures and plasma pressure compared to gas injection on DIII-D. The findings are encouraging for ITER's pellet-injection fueling method, which aims to replicate the sun's fusion process.
Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum developed a process to protect enzymes from plasma treatment, allowing for stable biocatalytic reactions with precise hydrogen peroxide dosing. This method improves the efficiency of traditional enzyme catalysis by reducing energy consumption and waste.