Articles tagged with Plasma
The Department of Energy has awarded Early Career Research Program funding to three Oak Ridge National Laboratory scientists. The awardees will receive $500,000 annually for five years to support their research in fusion energy, advanced scientific computing, and biogeochemical controls on phosphorus cycling.
Scientists have refined the use of magnetic fields to improve tokamak performance by suppressing instabilities called ELMs. The new technique allows plasma to operate in H-mode for longer periods, increasing efficiency and reducing the risk of damage to internal parts.
Researchers at PPPL have discovered that adding tungsten to plasma fuel pellets improves the compression of fuel, increasing fusion yield. The study uses krypton gas to measure X-rays emitted by the pellets, providing new insights into the fusion process.
A new study proposes a mathematical tool to understand the fractal structure of quark-gluon plasma, which is formed in high-energy collisions. The fractal structure explains some phenomena seen in these collisions, including particle momentum distributions that follow Tsallis statistics.
Scientists with NASA's MMS mission have developed a theory explaining how fast magnetic reconnection occurs, which could improve predictions of solar flares and particle storms. The new theory uses the Hall effect to explain why this type of reconnection happens at a consistent speed.
Researchers at Florida Atlantic University found that increasing sun exposure in rehabilitation facilities can enhance health and recovery in green sea turtles with fibropapillomatosis. Vitamin D levels increased significantly in turtles exposed to higher UV light, leading to less tumor regrowth and improved overall health.
A WVU postdoctoral researcher has made a groundbreaking discovery in the field of magnetic reconnection, which can be used to predict space weather events that affect satellite and power grid systems. The study uses advanced laser diagnostics to measure electron speeds, providing new insights into plasma physics processes.
Researchers at Toyohashi University of Technology developed an ultra-high-rate coating technology for functional hard carbon films using vacuum plasma. The new method achieved a film deposition rate exceeding one order of magnitude faster than existing technologies while maintaining the same degree of film quality.
Researchers demonstrated plasma acceleration at megahertz repetition rates, opening doors to boosting particle energy with plasma accelerator modules as booster stages. The recovery time of the plasma wave was found to be approximately 70 nanoseconds.
Researchers from Hefei Institutes of Physical Science identified the dominant mechanism for core heavy impurities accumulation and control. Large toroidal rotation and density peaking contribute to heavy impurity accumulation.
Researchers at Osaka University have successfully accelerated energetic ions using graphene targets irradiated with ultra-intense lasers, overcoming previous limitations. The findings demonstrate the robustness of graphene in this application and pave the way for compact and efficient plasma-based accelerators.
Researchers at GIST used ultrafast X-ray pulses to study warm dense copper electrons, revealing that bonds harden before melting. The findings could improve understanding of extraordinary material properties and their underlying mechanisms.
Researchers developed a promising alternative to traditional wet-chemistry methods using plasma-enabled surface engineering. The technology can create contact-killing, antifouling, and drug-release surfaces, accelerating antimicrobial material development.
Researchers create laboratory model to experimentally confirm the behavior of plasma waves as predicted by theory. By studying the properties of liquid metals and high magnetic fields, they successfully generate Alfvén waves in a molten alkali metal, breaking through the sound barrier for the first time.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.