Articles tagged with Tokamaks
Researchers at MIT have found a key to solving the great unsolved problem of heat loss in fusion reactors. Interactions between turbulence at the tiniest scale, that of electrons, and turbulence at a much larger scale, that of ions, can account for the discrepancy between theory and experimental results.
Researchers at PPPL developed computer simulations capturing the evolution of an electric current inside fusion plasma without using a central electromagnet. The new method achieves high plasma currents by injecting radio-frequency waves and neutral beams into the plasma, showing promise for spherical tokamaks.
Researchers at DOE's Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory have modeled new sources of turbulence in spherical tokamaks, a potential game-changer for fusion energy. The findings suggest that keeping non-uniform plasma flows within an optimized level and reducing trapped electron collisions could improve plasma confinement.
Researchers found a helix-shaped whirlpool of plasma that acts as a dynamo, creating electric and magnetic fields to prevent current from peaking. The conditions for this behavior include specific pressure and current gradients.
A US-China fusion research team has made a significant breakthrough by moving plasma closer to the wall, increasing power and efficiency of magnetic fusion energy. This achievement paves the way for future development of tokamaks like ITER, which is currently under construction in France.
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 have discovered a new super H-mode regime in tokamak plasmas, which could sharply boost fusion power production. The new state allows for higher pressure at the edge of the plasma, creating potential for increased power output from the superhot core.
Researchers found a swirling plasma dynamo that generates electric and magnetic fields to stabilize plasma, prevent 'sawtooth cycle' instabilities. The dynamo behavior occurs under specific conditions with rotating magnetic field lines and pressure gradients.
Researchers at PPPL developed a new model explaining how magnetic islands cool in tokamaks, leading to the density limit. This finding could lead to steps to overcome the barrier and improve fusion efficiency.
Scientists have found a method to mitigate Edge Localized Modes (ELMs) in tokamaks by using magnetic fields to produce a specific note, reducing the risk of damage to the vessel's walls. This new technique could be crucial for the success of ITER.
Researchers at PPPL have developed a detailed model of the source of the density limit, a puzzling limitation on fusion reactions. The findings suggest that a runaway growth of bubble-like islands can cause the plasma gas to cool and spiral apart, disrupting the reaction.
Scientists have developed a new method to control plasma rotation, a crucial aspect of fusion energy. The technique, which manipulates the intrinsic rotation of hot plasma gas within fusion facilities, has the potential to improve tokamaks' performance and reduce operating costs.
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.
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.
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 have developed a novel device called the Shoelace Antenna to regulate heat and particle flow through the plasma boundary in a tokamak fusion reactor. The antenna exploits naturally occurring resonant vibrations to achieve this goal.
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 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.
A new model developed by Robert Goldston predicts the size of a key barrier to fusion that could serve as a starting point for overcoming it. The agreement appears too close to have happened by chance, suggesting that the model's results are eerily close to data.
Researchers from DOE/Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory discovered a possible solution to the density limit, a major impediment to harnessing fusion. Tiny, bubble-like islands in plasmas appear to be at the root of the problem, and injecting power directly into these islands could help reach the high temperatures needed for fusion.
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.
Researchers at DIII-D National Fusion Facility have developed a method to control high-energy runaway electrons in tokamaks, which can potentially damage interior surfaces. By applying rapid pre-programmed changes in magnetic control coils, scientists can move the electron beam away from interior surfaces and prevent damage.
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.
Scientists successfully generated plasma current using Coaxial Helicity Injection, producing 1 million amperes of current with 40% less energy. This method eliminates the need for a solenoid in tokamaks, simplifying the device and optimizing its efficiency.
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.
Long-standing theoretical predictions have been confirmed in tokamaks, leading to improved performance and efficiency. High-pressure plasmas exhibit synergistic effects, minimizing turbulence and maximizing self-generated heat, which can sustain hot and dense plasma for longer periods.
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.
Choong-Seock Chang, a NYU researcher, has received a massive DOE award to simulate plasma behavior on the world's most powerful computer. His goal is to advance research in plasma fusion, which could provide environmentally safe electricity for over a million years.
Scientists have devised a method to more effectively dampen vertical instabilities in tokamak fusion reactors, allowing for improved control of electrical currents and magnetic fields. This development aims to increase the efficiency of fusion reactions and is an important step towards building the next-generation fusion reactor by 2015.
The U.S. Department of Energy's Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory has awarded subcontracts worth $8 million and $4.5 million to manufacture major components for the National Compact Stellarator Experiment (NCSX), a fusion energy project aiming to advance basic science and explore innovative concepts.
Turbulence has been observed to generate its own self-regulating flows that destroy turbulent eddies, according to recent experiments at DIII-D. These flows, predicted theoretically and seen in computer simulations, create a 'shearing' or tearing action that destroys turbulent eddies.
The Tokamak Fusion Test Reactor (TFTR) has been safely dismantled and removed, marking a significant milestone in the history of fusion research. The successful decommissioning demonstrates the promise of fusion as an environmentally attractive energy source, with minimal production of waste.