Fusion News

New Energy and Fuel November 3, 2016 Recent computer simulations have suggested a novel method for launching the plasma without using solenoids. The simulations at the National Spherical Torus Experiment (NSTX), the major fusion facility at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) shows the formation of distinct, current carrying magnetic structures … Read more

PPPL By John Greenwald | November 1, 2016 Simulation of plasmoid, left, and fast-camera image of experiment showing two plasmoid-like structures. Images taken from PPPL release, “Launching Fusion Reactions Without a Central Magnet, or Solenoid.” Simulation by Fatima Ebrahimi, PPPL; fast-camera image by Nishino-san, Hiroshima University. More than 100 scientists from the U.S. Department of … Read more

WIR October 31, 2016 U.S. physicists have proposed a new plasma heating mechanism that prevents interior fusion reactor damage while maximizing energy transfer. Utilizing one of the most important methods for heating plasma, the proposed strategy promises to help prevent damage to the interior surfaces of the reactor, while also keeping a tighter control of … Read more

PPPL By Raphael Rosen | October 31, 2016 Egemen Kolemen Physicist Egemen Kolemen, who holds positions at Princeton University and the U.S. Department of Energy’s Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL), is sharing a grant from ExxonMobil to research whether plasma could reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with oil wells. Plasma is partially ionized gas that … Read more

Next Big Future October 30, 2016 The recently-completed set of experiments with LPPFusion’s FF-1 device, combined with discussions with colleagues at the International Center for Dense Magnetized Plasma (ICDMP) conference in Warsaw, have produced a greater understanding of the ways impurities are produced in our device and how to reduce them. LPPFusion’s research team has … Read more

theEngineer.com By Stuart Nathan 28th October 2016 Stability map of fusion plasma in NSTX. Blue is stable and red is unstable. As the plasma decreases collisionality and increases rotation in time it transitions into an unstable region Previous plasma physics theory held that making the plasma rotate would keep it stable. However, Jack Berkery and … Read more

NJ.com October 28, 2016 At the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) in Princeton, New Jersey, from left, Scott Gifford and Neway Atnafu work inside the vessel of the National Spherical Torus Experiment (NSTX). NSTX is an innovative magnetic fusion device that was constructed by the PPPL in collaboration with the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Columbia … Read more

Scienmag October 27, 2016 Credit: Sandia National Laboratories Using magnetic field thermal insulation to keep plasmas hot enough to achieve thermonuclear fusion was first proposed by the Italian physicist Enrico Fermi in 1945, and independently a few years later by Russian physicist Andrei Sakharov. An approach known as magneto-inertial fusion uses an implosion of material … Read more

EurActive Oct 26, 2016 Creating an experimental nuclear fusion reactor is an undertaking that has to face both technical and political challenges. Bernard Bigot, director general of the ITER project, told EurActiv Spain that the political forces are “more uncontrollable” though. Bigot said he was “quite confident” that the technical obstacles facing nuclear fusion technology, … Read more

Eurofusion October 19th 2016 The current environmental concerns lead us to look for cleaner, safer and more efficient ways in which to produce power. We are in constant growth and our technological lifestyles are increasingly demanding for more energy. In addition to sustainable power from renewable sources, scientists want to find a solution which employs … Read more