Articles tagged with Thermal Plasmas
Comprehensive exploration of living organisms, biological systems, and life processes across all scales from molecules to ecosystems. Encompasses cutting-edge research in biology, genetics, molecular biology, ecology, biochemistry, microbiology, botany, zoology, evolutionary biology, genomics, and biotechnology. Investigates cellular mechanisms, organism development, genetic inheritance, biodiversity conservation, metabolic processes, protein synthesis, DNA sequencing, CRISPR gene editing, stem cell research, and the fundamental principles governing all forms of life on Earth.
Comprehensive medical research, clinical studies, and healthcare sciences focused on disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Encompasses clinical medicine, public health, pharmacology, epidemiology, medical specialties, disease mechanisms, therapeutic interventions, healthcare innovation, precision medicine, telemedicine, medical devices, drug development, clinical trials, patient care, mental health, nutrition science, health policy, and the application of medical science to improve human health, wellbeing, and quality of life across diverse populations.
Comprehensive investigation of human society, behavior, relationships, and social structures through systematic research and analysis. Encompasses psychology, sociology, anthropology, economics, political science, linguistics, education, demography, communications, and social research methodologies. Examines human cognition, social interactions, cultural phenomena, economic systems, political institutions, language and communication, educational processes, population dynamics, and the complex social, cultural, economic, and political forces shaping human societies, communities, and civilizations throughout history and across the contemporary world.
Fundamental study of the non-living natural world, matter, energy, and physical phenomena governing the universe. Encompasses physics, chemistry, earth sciences, atmospheric sciences, oceanography, materials science, and the investigation of physical laws, chemical reactions, geological processes, climate systems, and planetary dynamics. Explores everything from subatomic particles and quantum mechanics to planetary systems and cosmic phenomena, including energy transformations, molecular interactions, elemental properties, weather patterns, tectonic activity, and the fundamental forces and principles underlying the physical nature of reality.
Practical application of scientific knowledge and engineering principles to solve real-world problems and develop innovative technologies. Encompasses all engineering disciplines, technology development, computer science, artificial intelligence, environmental sciences, agriculture, materials applications, energy systems, and industrial innovation. Bridges theoretical research with tangible solutions for infrastructure, manufacturing, computing, communications, transportation, construction, sustainable development, and emerging technologies that advance human capabilities, improve quality of life, and address societal challenges through scientific innovation and technological progress.
Study of the practice, culture, infrastructure, and social dimensions of science itself. Addresses how science is conducted, organized, communicated, and integrated into society. Encompasses research funding mechanisms, scientific publishing systems, peer review processes, academic ethics, science policy, research institutions, scientific collaboration networks, science education, career development, research programs, scientific methods, science communication, and the sociology of scientific discovery. Examines the human, institutional, and cultural aspects of scientific enterprise, knowledge production, and the translation of research into societal benefit.
Comprehensive study of the universe beyond Earth, encompassing celestial objects, cosmic phenomena, and space exploration. Includes astronomy, astrophysics, planetary science, cosmology, space physics, astrobiology, and space technology. Investigates stars, galaxies, planets, moons, asteroids, comets, black holes, nebulae, exoplanets, dark matter, dark energy, cosmic microwave background, stellar evolution, planetary formation, space weather, solar system dynamics, the search for extraterrestrial life, and humanity's efforts to explore, understand, and unlock the mysteries of the cosmos through observation, theory, and space missions.
Comprehensive examination of tools, techniques, methodologies, and approaches used across scientific disciplines to conduct research, collect data, and analyze results. Encompasses experimental procedures, analytical methods, measurement techniques, instrumentation, imaging technologies, spectroscopic methods, laboratory protocols, observational studies, statistical analysis, computational methods, data visualization, quality control, and methodological innovations. Addresses the practical techniques and theoretical frameworks enabling scientists to investigate phenomena, test hypotheses, gather evidence, ensure reproducibility, and generate reliable knowledge through systematic, rigorous investigation across all areas of scientific inquiry.
Study of abstract structures, patterns, quantities, relationships, and logical reasoning through pure and applied mathematical disciplines. Encompasses algebra, calculus, geometry, topology, number theory, analysis, discrete mathematics, mathematical logic, set theory, probability, statistics, and computational mathematics. Investigates mathematical structures, theorems, proofs, algorithms, functions, equations, and the rigorous logical frameworks underlying quantitative reasoning. Provides the foundational language and tools for all scientific fields, enabling precise description of natural phenomena, modeling of complex systems, and the development of technologies across physics, engineering, computer science, economics, and all quantitative sciences.
Zap Energy's FuZE-3 device has reached electron pressures of up to 830 MPa, or 1.6 GPa total, in a sheared-flow-stabilized Z pinch, a major milestone on the path to scientific energy gain. The device achieves this high pressure through independent control of plasma acceleration and compression.
The Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory has been awarded $6.1 million to lead three research collaborations tackling fusion energy challenges. The projects focus on advanced materials, plasma diagnostics, and simulation technologies to accelerate the development of fusion energy.
A new Zap research paper validates the company's sheared-flow-stabilized Z-pinch fusion approach by measuring nearly isotropic neutron energies, indicating stable thermal plasma. This achievement provides a benchmark milestone for scaling fusion to higher energy yields and confidence in reaching higher performance on the FuZE-Q device.
Researchers developed a sustainable approach to improving polymer performance by using plasma treatment on polypropylene-lignin blends. The treated lignin exhibited increased phenoxy radicals and reduced hydroxyl functionalities, leading to enhanced compatibility with PP.
A UVA professor has made new discoveries about electron kinetic behavior within plasma beams, potentially revealing the 'shape' of future space technology. The findings could lead to more efficient and reliable electric propulsion systems for long-duration space missions.
Researchers at the University of Liverpool have achieved a significant milestone in converting carbon dioxide into valuable fuels and chemicals. They report a pioneering plasma-catalytic process for the hydrogenation of CO2 to methanol at room temperature and atmospheric pressure, achieving impressive selectivity rates.
Scientists at Zap Energy have achieved a major breakthrough in fusion technology, creating a plasma with electron temperatures of up to 37 million degrees Celsius. The company's sheared-flow-stabilized Z pinch device far exceeds the previous record and offers a promising path to commercial fusion energy.
Energy beam-based direct and assisted polishing technologies for diamonds improve surface quality and material removal rates, overcoming limitations of traditional methods. Researchers analyzed four latest polishing techniques, including laser polishing, ion beam polishing, plasma-assisted polishing, and laser-assisted polishing.
UVA professor Patrick Hopkins is developing a 'freeze ray' technology to cool electronics in spacecraft and high-altitude jets, which can't be cooled by nature due to the vacuum of space. The technology uses heat-generating plasma to create localized cooling, and has been granted $750,000 by the Air Force.
A team of researchers used the National Ignition Facility (NIF) to create a laboratory replica of galaxy-cluster plasmas, discovering strong suppression of heat conduction in these turbulent environments. The experiments provide insight into complex physics processes and raise additional questions that may be answered in future studies.
Thermal quenches in fusion devices occur when high-energy electrons escape from the core and fly toward the wall, causing a rapid drop in electron temperature. The researchers propose an analytic model of plasma transport that provides new physical insights into the complex topology of 3-D magnetic field lines.
Researchers achieved stable partial energy detachment and suppressed material sputtering using Ar and Ne seeding. The study provides a feasible experiment program for maintaining steady-state plasma under high-power long-pulse conditions.
Researchers successfully ignite lean methane/air mixtures using intense fs-lasers, achieving a 100% ignition success rate with sub-mJ energy. The approach has general applicability to complex combustion conditions and provides possibilities for ultrafast physical/chemical processes investigation.
Scientists have discovered a new method to control icing on next-generation aircraft using plasma actuators. The technology can transfer heat locally while mixing well with incoming airflow, preventing stress on composite materials. Researchers tested three configurations of actuators in high-speed cameras and infrared thermal imaging.
The Max-Planck-Princeton Center has made significant progress in fusion research, investigating plasmas in astrophysics and advancing understanding of magnetic reconnection. New computer codes and experimentation have improved simulations, resolving long-standing questions about solar wind heating and magnetic field behavior.
Scientists at DIII-D National Fusion Facility successfully tested Shattered Pellet Injection (SPI) technique, rapidly cooling hot plasma to prevent disruptions. The innovative approach involves injecting frozen neon and deuterium pellets into the plasma, reducing localized heating and mechanical forces on the tokamak walls.
Researchers at Vienna University of Technology have discovered pre-thermalization, where an intermediate state emerges between an ordered initial state and statistical equilibrium. This state exhibits some equilibrium properties but retains distinct order for a remarkably long time.
Researchers will study turbulent transport and organization in fusion and astrophysical plasmas to design better, smaller and cheaper fusion systems. Understanding the link between flow self-organization and large-scale flow dissipation may also improve ITER's fusion power production.
The McGill researchers developed a new method to produce CNTs with the possibility of scale up to large industrial levels, based on thermal plasma technology. This technology has the potential to bring down production costs and increase availability in large quantities.
Researchers at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center found that the Earth's polar fountains of energized gas are a significant source of material for the magnetosphere, contradicting previous assumptions. The discovery was made using a device called TIDE, which neutralizes spacecraft plasma sheaths to detect low-energy ions.