Voss Scientific inks partnership Aug 22, 2008
A specialist in plasma physics who helped test hydrogen bombs at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Voss moved to Albuquerque in 1982. He launched Voss Scientific with a small business research grant to create a new data acquisition system for high-powered microwaves at Kirtland Air Force Base. (New Mexico Business Weekly, NM)
AGU Journal Highlights -- June 11, 2008 Jun 12, 2008
Authors: J. D. Huba and J. Krall: Plasma Physics Division, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington D.C., U.S.A.. G. Joyce: Icarus Research Inc., Bethesda, Maryland, U.S.A.. (EurekAlert!)
Harvard scholar appointed Tsinghua guest professor May 31, 2008
Trained in aerospace engineering and theoretical plasma physics at MIT and Stanford, Holdren, a member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences (NAS), focuses his research interests in causes and consequences of global environmental change, energy and resource options, and nuclear arms control and nonproliferation. Holdren advised former Vice President Al Gore on the slide show that gradually evolved into the Oscar-winning documentary, "An Inconvenient Truth, " which contributed to Gore's... (Xinhuanet, China)
Funding ends for plasma project May 27, 2008
The National Compact Stellara tor Experiment, designing a device to hold hot plasma inside magnetic fields to sustain a controlled nuclear fusion reaction, was a construction project being jointly organized by the department, Princeton University, and the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL). According to the Energy Department, approved costs of $102 million for a July 2009 comple tion have ballooned to an estimate of $170 million for a completion date of August 2009. (NJ.com -- Times)
She's a shining star: From Cassini to classical music, Hilary Martens excels at it all May 10, 2008
Led cutting-edge research for NASA's Cassini Mission at UM in space plasma physics and provided analysis of data from the Cassini plasma spectrometer. Presented research at the esteemed Division of Planetary Sciences Conference in California and the National Collegiate Honors Council Conference in Pennsylvania. (Missoulian, MT)
IBM rolls water-cooled supercomputer Apr 11, 2008
IBM said it has orders for the Power 575 from the Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics (Garching, Germany), the National Center for Atmospheric Research (Boulder, Colo. and the European Center for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (Reading, U.K.). (EETimes)
World’s Largest Fusion Experiment Of The Stellarator Type -- Wendelstein 7-X -- Taking Shape Mar 15, 2008
14, 2008) The first milestone in the successive assembly of the Wendelstein 7-X fusion device at the Greifswald branch of Max Planck Institute of Plasma Physics (IPP) has been reached on schedule with the completion of the first two half-modules of the large-scale experiment: Two-tenths of the inner core of the device is now ready and is being assembled. Industrial production of the essential components for Wendelstein 7-X is almost complete. (Science Daily)
First Advertisement To Be Broadcast Into Space Mar 10, 2008
Professor Tony van Eyken, Director of EISCAT, said: "Broadcasting an advert extra-terrestrially is a big and exciting step for everyone on Earth as up until now we only tend to listen for incoming transmissions. There have been reports that NASA beamed a Beatles song towards the Polaris star system, though as this is a 1,000 light year round trip, it's highly unlikely it will ever be received by extra-terrestrials. With the transmission technology and planning we are employing there is a much... (Science Daily)
Mars And Venus Are Surprisingly Similar Mar 6, 2008
These results give us the potential to measure the evolution of planetary climates, says David Brain, Supporting Investigator for plasma physics for Venus Express and Co-Investigator for ASPERA on Mars and Venus Express at the University of California, Berkeley. The new observations show that, despite the differences in size and distance from the Sun, Mars and Venus are surprisingly similar. (Science Daily)
Magnets touted as fix for fusion reactor Mar 6, 2008
Please see, e.g. A. Loarte, M. Becoulet, G. Saidene, et al., Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion vol. 44, page 1815, 2002. I wasn't involved in this ELM size scaling work. (Nature News Service)
Argonne's Blue Gene/P to Host Large Cadre of INCITE Researchers Jan 18, 2008
-- William Tang of Princeton University and the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory was awarded 2 million hours to gain a better understanding of turbulence as a primary mechanism by which particles and energy diffuse across the confining magnetic field in toroidal fusion systems. Results from these studies may have direct relevance to the future performance of the international burning plasma experiment called ITER. -- Don Lamb of University of Chicago's ASC/Alliance Flash Center was awarded 21... (PR Newswire)
Hu concludes inspection tour in Anhui Jan 15, 2008
He dropped in scientific research institutes and enterprises engaging in independent innovation, including the Institute of Plasma Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), a local forklift factory and automobile manufacturer Chery ... Chinese President Hu Jintao (2nd L front) inspects the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Institute of Plasma Physics in Hefei, capital of east China's Anhui Province, Jan. 13, 2008 ... In the CAS Institute of Plasma Physics, renowned for joining the 11... (Xinhuanet, China)
President Hu visits Anhui Province Jan 15, 2008
Chinese President Hu Jintao (2nd L front) inspects the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Institute of Plasma Physics in Hefei, capital of east China's Anhui Province, Jan. 13, 2008. Hu made an inspection tour to Anhui from Jan. 11 to 14. (Xinhuanet, China)
Aeronautics Associate Administrator Departs NASA for New Position Jan 10, 2008
Porter has authored more than 25 publications in a broad range of technical disciplines, including nuclear engineering, solar physics, plasma physics, computational materials modeling, explosives detection and vibration control of flexible structures. For more information about NASA and its programs, visit the Web at. (PR Newswire)
PPPL director Goldston GS '77 to resign Dec 14, 2007
Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) Director Robert Goldston GS '77 announced yesterday his decision to step down from his position leading the research facility, which he has held for more than 10 years ... Luc Peterson, a second year grad student in the Plasma Physics Instruction Department, said Goldston is "very good at connecting with people. He'll ... sit down and have a chat. He's always eager to know what's going on and how our studies are going.". (The Daily Princetonian, NJ)
Plasma Science Instrument Finds Surprises At Solar System's Edge Dec 12, 2007
"It's a different kind of shockwave than we've seen anywhere else," says John Richardson, principal investigator for the Plasma Physics instrument and a Principal Research Scientist at MIT's Kavli Institute for Astrophysics and Space Science. The unexpected coolness, theorists now think, is caused by energy going into particles that are hotter than those that can be measured by the MIT plasma instrument. (Science Daily)
New radio antenna made of star material Dec 6, 2007
The researchers detailed their findings Nov. 12 at the American Physical Society's plasma physics division meeting in Orlando. 2007 LiveScience. (MSNBC -- Technology)
Stealthy, Versatile, And Jam Resistant Antennas Made Of Gas Nov 20, 2007
The antenna design being presented at the APS Division of Plasma Physics meeting in Orlando consists of gas-filled tubes reminiscent of neon bulbs ... This research was presented by T. R. Anderson and I. Alexeff at the 2007 APS Division of Plasma Physics annual meeting on November 12, 2007. (Science Daily)
Space launches and the cost factor Nov 18, 2007
I am into plasma physics. I work on electric propulsion. (Hindu)
Australia on Iran's nuclear shopping list Nov 16, 2007
The Iranian end users included the Government of Iran and the country's atomic energy organisation and power, engineering, petrochemical and oil-refining and gas companies, aircraft industries, schools, universities, engine manufacturers, mineral research centres, a helicopter support company and a plasma physics centre. Western diplomats have said Tehran uses front companies to receive technology and convert it to weapons production without being detected. (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
Warp Speed Improves Calculations a Million Times Nov 14, 2007
This research by J.-L. Vay is to be presented at the 2007 APS Division of Plasma Physics annual meeting on November 16, 2007. Adapted from materials provided by. (Science Daily)
Smart dust, gassy antennas, and warp speed calculations Nov 13, 2007
T. R. Anderson and I. Alexeff 2007 APS Division of Plasma Physics annual meeting November 12, 2007 ... The antenna design being presented at next week's APS Division of Plasma Physics meeting in Orlando consists of gas-filled tubes reminiscent of neon bulbs ... J.-L. Vay 2007 APS Division of Plasma Physics annual meeting November 16, 2007. (EurekAlert!)
Solving fusion problem should please Gore says Truchard Aug 8, 2007
Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics is associated with the European Fusion Programme and the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres. Dr. Louis Giannone, a research scientist for the Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics in Garching, Germany is working on an upgrade to the ASDEX (Axially Symmetric Divertor EXperiment) divertor tokamak in Garching. (EETimes)
Energy from Space: Examining the Potential of Space to Provide Energy for Earth Jul 25, 2007
Hoffert has published broadly in fluid mechanics, plasma physics, atmospheric science, oceanography, planetary atmospheres, environmental science, solar and wind energy conversion and space solar power. John C. Mankins - During a 25-year career at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and NASA Headquarters, John Mankins was the lead for NASA's 1995-2001 Space Solar Power research, as well as serving as the manager of the Exploration Systems Research and Technology Program. (NASA Watch)
Awesome powerInside the bunker at the heart of Britain's nuclear programme Jun 21, 2007
Doing this requires some pretty fancy science and our visit focused on one particular aspect - plasma physics and the use of lasers to understand the behaviour of materials at high temperatures and pressures such as those found in a nuclear weapon. The Helen laser sits in an ageing building which feels as though it dates from the period around World War II when the site was an airfield. (BBC News -- Science)
Summer doesn't slow the pace on Princeton University campus Jun 20, 2007
" The Office of Conference and Event Services rents out space every summer to nonprofit organizations that sponsor a wide variety of programs aimed at middle and high school students, undergraduates, and teachers from near and far. For students and teachers interested in furthering their knowledge of science, many different workshops will explore the topics of plasma physics, solar energy, condensed matter physics and environmental science. The Gran-Sasso-Princeton Physics Summer School, for... (Cranbury Press, NJ)
Team Discovers 'Throttle' For Solar Wind Jun 1, 2007
The new research could also lead to a deeper understanding of plasma physics, which is of interest because stars are made of plasma and plasma is used in advanced devices like plasma TVs and experimental fusion reactors. The sun's atmosphere, or corona, can be seen from Earth during the peak of a total solar eclipse, when it appears as a shimmering halo around the moon. (Science Daily)
Local school shines at Science Bowl Apr 23, 2007
Sixteen teams from area schools participated in the April 14 competition. "This win is exciting and very unexpected," said teacher and coach Paula Rosenzweig. (The Trentonian, NJ)
The case of the murderous physicist Mar 29, 2007
Lu, the Iowa gunman, was part of a wave of Chinese students recruited to come to Iowa to study plasma physics in the 1980s, when China was opening up to the West after the Cultural Revolution. By all accounts, however, Lu was troubled. (International Herald Tribune)
For the sake of China's "artificial sun" Mar 22, 2007
The greatest breakthrough was the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST), a superconducting non-circular section nuclear fusion experiment device built at the Hefei Institute of Plasma Physics, also known as an "artificial sun". However, it is not widely known that scientists are endeavoring to build another tokamak at the Southwestern Institute of Physics (SIP) in Chengdu. (People's Daily Online, China)
NRL SHIMMER and CITRIS experiments launched on STPSat-1 to study Earth's atmosphere Mar 11, 2007
Dr. Paul A. Bernhardt of NRL's Plasma Physics Division is the principal investigator and is supported by technical staff of the Plasma Physics Division and NRL's Naval Center for Space Technology. The Earth's ionosphere is the primary source for errors in GPS and other navigation systems. (EurekAlert!)
Engineering prof. joins NAE Feb 22, 2007
Dorning explained that his main foci as a researcher are developing mathematical analysis and computational methods for nuclear reactors and researching basic plasma physics with potential applications for fusion power and space physics. According to the press release, Dorning received the elected honor "for the development of advanced computational methods for nuclear reactor analysis.". (The Cavalier Daily, VA)
First team Feb 15, 2007
Accomplishments: His efforts to bridge the gap between pure science and practical applications include math research on webpage-ranking algorithms, which led him to a proof exposing a loophole in Google s algorithm; his findings were presented at the Computer Science Affiliates Conference; research on measures of risk of financial investments; wrote software converting mathematical proofs to computer code to help make programs more reliable; co-chair, Undergraduate Research Symposium Steering... (USA Today)
China's "artificial sun" discharged in transnational experiment Feb 8, 2007
Wu Songtao, deputy director of the Institute of Plasma Physics under the , said that the remote controlled plasma discharge has laid the foundation for broader joint research into nuclear fusion in the near future, and set an example for multinational experimentation with international thermonuclear fusion experimental reactors (ITER). It was reported that the data and discharge images received by experts in the DIII-D experimental nuclear fusion laboratory at General Atomics USA are exactly the... (People's Daily Online, China)
China shares control of nuclear fusion reactor Feb 8, 2007
The test lasted nearly five seconds after scientists with General Atomics USA working in their labs started up the fusion reactor at the Institute of Plasma Physics under the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) in Hefei, provincial capital of Anhui, Wu Songtao, deputy director of the institute, told Xinhua. "The test has laid a foundation for joint study of fusion reaction with different countries," said Wu, adding that the U.S. scientists were provided with all real-time data during the test. (Xinhuanet, China)
Martin Kruskal, 81; mathematician's wave research rippled through sciences Jan 6, 2007
The project later became the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, and Kruskal, as associate head of the theoretical division, provided much of the theoretical underpinnings for the project. In 1959, while still holding his post on Project Matterhorn, Kruskal was appointed a lecturer in astronomy at Princeton. (Los Angeles Times)
Out of the lab, in the movies Jan 3, 2007
By writing and producing movies that have more scientific themes and more authentic and appealing science protagonists boosters think the U.S. could encourage more young people to pursue careers in plasma physics, molecular biology, and other fields. "If I want to watch sports, I can turn on any one of four to 12 channels, 24 hours a day, seven days a week," says Alvin Chin, a professor of pediatrics at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia and a Catalyst alum. (USA Today -- Tech)
