Articles tagged with Plasma
Researchers at Tata Institute of Fundamental Research created bacteria to emit intense hard x-ray radiation. By using nanostructured bacterial cells and silver nanoparticles, they achieved a 10,000-fold increase in x-ray emission compared to plain glass slides.
A new approach has been proposed to communicate with spacecraft as they re-enter the atmosphere, utilizing a matched layer in the antenna to replicate special conditions that enhance signal transmission. This method could also be applied to other hypersonic vehicles, such as military planes and ballistic missiles.
The STAR collaboration has observed a 'chiral magnetic wave' rippling through the quark-gluon plasma created at RHIC's energetic particle smashups. This finding provides evidence for the chiral magnetic effect, a quantum phenomenon causing electric charge separation along the axis of a magnetic field.
Physicists at Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory have simulated the formation of plasmoids in hot plasma gas that fuels fusion reactions. The discovery could lead to more efficient creation and maintenance of plasma through transient Coaxial Helicity Injection, simplifying tokamak design.
The study found that axial momentum loss occurs in the helicon plasma thruster due to internal electric fields. This loss significantly affects propulsive performance. The findings suggest more detailed understanding of plasma dynamics is needed for further development of high-power, electrodeless propulsion devices.
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.
Researchers developed new plasma models applicable to medicine using data on oxygen ion transport and interaction with water molecules. These models account for how discharges are created in water vapour, enabling the development of novel therapeutic treatments for wound healing and dermatology.
Researchers analyze particle jets from lead ion collisions to understand quark-gluon plasma properties. The study reveals that high-energy jets are suppressed, contradicting some theoretical models.
Researchers at the DIII-D tokamak have demonstrated that lithium injections can transiently double temperature and pressure at the plasma edge, delaying instabilities. The results show a 60% increase in total energy-confinement time and improved performance of the plasma.
Researchers at Penn State will focus on developing plasma photonic crystals and plasma-embedded metamaterials that operate in the terahertz range, enabling applications such as antennas with beam steering and filter devices. The project aims to replace traditional metallic split-ring resonators with low-loss dielectric resonators.
Sprites form at plasma irregularities in the lower ionosphere, a phenomenon that can be useful for remote sensing of the region. The researchers used high-speed videos and fluid models to study sprite dynamics and determine the origin of the irregularities.
Researchers at the University of Utah created the smallest plasma transistors that can operate in extreme environments, including nuclear reactors. These devices have the potential to enable innovative applications such as medical X-ray imaging and real-time air quality monitoring, and could be used to control robots in nuclear reactors.
Researchers have discovered that introducing plasma to combustion reactions can sustain flames in conditions where they would normally be extinguished. This technology could significantly improve the efficiency of military jets, passenger planes, and unmanned drones by conserving fuel and extending flight times.
Recent experiments have found that lithium bound to carbon walls in fusion devices plays a key role in improving plasma performance. The combination of lithium, oxygen, and carbon improves deuterium retention and reduces recycling, leading to enhanced energy confinement and reduced edge plasma instabilities.
A joint experiment between Chinese and American scientists successfully demonstrated a tokamak fusion reactor's ability to maintain high fusion performance for extended periods. The experiment exploited plasma self-generations of electrical current, reducing the need for external coils and increasing cost-effectiveness.
Researchers have successfully shielded fusion facility walls using lithium vapors, extending protection to 10 times longer than expected. The breakthrough could alleviate concerns about plasma contamination and aborting fusion reactions in future devices.
Researchers at the National Spherical Torus Experiment have successfully created giant plasma bubbles using a method called Coaxial Helicity Injection, which harnesses the power of magnetic reconnection. The simulation results shed light on the complex mechanisms behind this phenomenon, revealing how forces and currents interact to gen...
Researchers discovered that rotating plasma during disruptions can spread energy around the vessel, reducing heat load. The Alcator C-Mod team found spontaneous rotation in tokamaks, while DIII-D tested theory using 3D magnetic fields to control instability direction.
Millimeter-wave imaging technology helps scientists understand and manage plasma instabilities in fusion plasmas. By imaging waves and density fluctuations, researchers can develop strategies to maintain plasma stability and accelerate progress towards a viable new energy source.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University have created the world's smallest liquid droplets in a lab experiment. The tiny droplets, about one-100,000th the size of a virus, exhibit flow-like behavior similar to quark-gluon plasma, a state of matter thought to have existed in the universe during its early stages.
Researchers have developed a method to create and control plasma, which could transform American energy generation and storage. The device can hold its own self-magnetic field and travel through regular air without containment, paving the way for significant advancements in energy technology.
Dr. Michael Keidar is researching ways to cut human tissue more efficiently using plasma technology, which could minimize the need for blood transfusions during surgery. His goal is to understand the physics of plasma interaction with living tissue and develop new devices that can safely and effectively cut through human tissues.
A team of researchers has calculated the strength and distribution of magnetic fields in the early universe, finding that they existed even before the first stars formed. The calculations show that these weak magnetic fields were present throughout the entire plasma volume, with strengths as low as 10^-20 Tesla.
Scientists at Vienna University of Technology propose a new measuring method using the forward calorimeter at CERN, enabling the creation of the world's most precise stopwatch for light pulses. This could revolutionize quark-gluon plasma physics and open up new avenues for nuclear research.
Researchers at Ghent University have developed a simplified model to measure the absolute density of OH radicals in plasma, improving the accuracy of radical treatment for medical applications. This breakthrough could stimulate tissue regeneration and induce targeted antiseptic effects without harming neighboring tissues.
A new study has improved understanding of plasma sources, a state of matter used in plasma display panels. Researchers found that reducing voltage can cause disordered systems to form.
Scientists at Caltech have successfully recreated plasma loops, which could help predict solar flares. By studying the magnetic forces controlling these loops, researchers aim to develop a two-day warning period for massive solar flares.
Researchers have created extremely hot and dense plasmas hundreds of times hotter than the sun's surface, challenging a widely accepted model. The study demonstrates the capabilities of LCLS X-ray laser, providing detailed information about plasma properties.
Researchers at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory have observed a 40 femtosecond ultrafast transition of graphite into two different states of matter, including solid to liquid and plasma. This discovery provides new insights into the behavior of matter irradiated by intense hard X-rays.
A handheld plasma flashlight has been developed to effectively kill bacteria on the skin's surface, including antibiotic-resistant Enterococcus faecalis. The device, powered by a 12-volt battery, generates a plasma plume that penetrates deep into bacterial layers, killing them in tens of seconds.
Researchers discovered a previously unknown phenomenon in quantum plasmas, enabling positively charged particles to form atom-like structures. This discovery accelerates current conduction, potentially revolutionizing nanotechnology and applications such as micro-chips and semiconductors.
Researchers Auna Moser and Paul Bellan observed a surprising phenomenon in lab experiments that provides clues to the origin of solar flares. The discovery reveals a connection between kink instability and Rayleigh-Taylor instability, which are two distinct phenomena occurring at different scales.
Researchers at Drexel University demonstrate that cold plasma can effectively kill pathogens on uncooked poultry, including Campylobacter and Salmonella. The study shows that plasma treatment eliminates or significantly reduces bacteria levels, offering a promising method for reducing foodborne illness.
Researchers found a method to damage adenoviruses using plasma in the lab environment, reducing viral activity by up to 99%. The technique could lead to safer stem-cell therapies for patients at risk of life-threatening infections.
Researchers developed novel plasma actuators using winding-shaped electrodes to induce three-dimensional variations in the shear layer, offering significant flexibility in flow control. These new designs adjusted the plasma-induced flow in the form of a ZNMF jet with streamwise and spanwise vortices.
Researchers at UC Berkeley have discovered that ionized plasmas can kill bacteria in water for up to a week, making it a potential cheap and effective sterilizer for developing countries. The plasma-generated molecules create a cocktail of highly reactive chemicals that attack and destroy microbes.
Scientists at MIT's Alcator C-Mod tokamak reactor have successfully maintained I-mode operation over a wider power range. This breakthrough could enable the application of I-mode to larger ITER projects and future fusion reactors.
New research at MIT's Alcator C-Mod tokamak provides insight into the transport of impurities in fusion plasmas, a crucial step towards improving reactor performance. By tracking impurities using high-resolution spectrometry and computer simulations, scientists aim to develop more accurate models for predicting impurity behavior.
Researchers installed a movable 30-ton particle-beam heating system to develop fusion plasmas that can burn indefinitely. The system allows scientists to vary the spatial distribution of the plasma current to maintain optimal conditions for sustaining high-temperature plasmas needed for fusion energy production.
A team of scientists found that increasing lithium coating in the wall of an experimental fusion reactor greatly improves plasma confinement. This leads to smaller and cheaper fusion machines. The study also enhances certain plasma properties aiding the reaction.
Recent experiments in the DIII-D tokamak have shown that spinning plasma can prevent magnetic island formation, which reduces fusion power production. By applying torque to spin the plasma faster while minimizing stray magnetic fields, tokamak fusion performance can be raised.
Researchers at PPPL developed a high-resolution X-ray imaging crystal spectrometer to observe the effects of radiofrequency waves on plasma behavior. The spectrometer revealed self-generated and RF-driven flow, which could be beneficial for fusion research and future reactors.
Kai Germaschewski, a UNH assistant professor, received a $750,000 grant to develop more refined models of fusion plasmas. His work aims to enhance understanding of the state of plasma and its effects in high-temperature experiments.
The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics will present technical achievement awards at a June conference in Honolulu. Notable recipients include Dr. Hans Hornung, Dr. Chul Park, Preston A. Henne, and Dr. Ramesh Agarwal for their contributions to fluid dynamics, aerodynamics, and thermophysics.
Researchers successfully simulated the operation of a laser-plasma wakefield accelerator in three-dimensional detail using the 'boosted-frame' method. This breakthrough enables calculations that were previously beyond the state of the art, reducing computational time by tens of thousands of times.
A Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute doctoral student has developed a novel method to extend the distance of terahertz technology's effective detection range using sound waves. The technique allows for safer detection of hidden explosives, chemicals, and other materials from several meters away.
Benjamin Clough, a doctoral student at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, has developed a novel method for eavesdropping on terahertz information hidden in invisible plasma acoustic bursts. His technique uses sound waves to boost the distance from which researchers can use powerful terahertz technology to remotely detect hidden explosiv...
A study published in Journal of Medical Microbiology found that low-temperature plasma was effective in killing drug-resistant bacteria causing wound infections, and increased the rate of wound healing. Plasma therapy may offer a promising method to treat chronic wound infections where other approaches fail.
Scientists model vacuum breakdown to understand its implications for applications, including particle accelerators and fusion reactors. A new model reveals that the breakdown arc is triggered by an electric field tearing apart the metal surface, leading to extremely damaging effects.
Researchers at Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory have made significant progress in reducing thermal plasma-wall interaction challenges for fusion energy devices. A new 'snowflake' divertor concept successfully reduced plasma-material interface heat load and erosion, extending component lifetime.
Researchers from Imperial College London describe a tabletop instrument that produces synchrotron X-rays with energy and quality comparable to some of the largest X-ray facilities in the world. This development could enable more precise investigations at higher resolutions, benefiting scientific and medical advances.
Researchers at Purdue University have discovered critical mechanisms for the plasma-material interface in nuclear fusion test reactors. The findings show promise for developing new coatings capable of withstanding extreme conditions inside the reactors.
Researchers found that firing low temperature plasma beams at dentin reduced the amount of dental bacteria by up to 10,000-fold. The technology could be used to remove infected tissue in tooth cavities, replacing conventional drilling methods.
Researchers have developed two prototype devices to combat drug-resistant bacteria like MRSA. One device can disinfect human skin safely and quickly, while another can target infested chronic wounds for quicker healing.
Norbert Koster and colleagues have developed a way to sterilize medical tools by sealing them in vacuum bags and then using electromagnetic fields to remotely ignite plasma inside the bag, killing bacteria and viruses. This technique could replace traditional autoclave methods for certain instruments.
Increasing power in RFP fusion device leads to self-organized helical plasma with improved trapping and hotter temperatures. The helical state is spontaneously chosen by the plasma, improving magnetic confinement and renewing fusion prospects.
Researchers at Purdue University are developing a new plasma-based lithography to create extremely thin features in computer chips, replacing current ultraviolet light technology. The goal is to extend Moore's law by creating nanolithography that can produce fine features without using conventional methods.
Scientists at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have developed a powerful new sputter process that can deposit high-quality metal films in complex nanoscale patterns. The method, called 'self-sputtering far above the runaway threshold,' uses short high-power pulses to create a dense plasma of metal ions.
Researchers have found that particles of inorganic dust can form helical structures that interact like organic compounds, hinting at the possibility of life beyond carbon-based molecules. These structures exhibit properties such as autonomy, reproduction, and evolution, raising questions about the origin of life on Earth.
Researchers found that multiple low-energy plasma treatments reduced wrinkles by 37% and improved facial appearance by 68%. The treatments had a minor healing process, making them an attractive option for patients seeking minimally invasive resurfacing procedures.