AIAA Houston Section Lecture: Dr. Franklin Chang Daz Developing VASIMR Nov 12, 2009
He graduated in 1977 with a PhD in plasma physics from MIT.. AIAA Houston: www. (NASA Watch)
Reliable, Efficient Fusion Power A Reality? Nov 12, 2009
These new findings will be presented at the American Physical Society -- Division of Plasma Physics 51st annual meeting, November 2-6, at the Atlanta Hyatt Regency Hotel. Nuclear fusion energy has kept the sun burning for billions of years. (Science Daily)
Electron Self-injection Into An Evolving Plasma Bubble Nov 6, 2009
Now new theoretical work by scientists from the University of Texas and Commissariat a l'E nergie Atomique (CEA, France), to be reported at the 2009 APS Division of Plasma Physics Annual Meeting, has shed light on this mystery. Formation of the exceptional quality electron beam is attributed to the evolution of the bubble shape which, in turn, is directly associated with the nonlinear evolution of the driving laser pulse (nonlinear focusing and defocusing). (Science Daily)
Powerful Laser Sheds Light On Fast Ignition And High Energy Density Physics Nov 6, 2009
31, 2009) Scientists are using an adapted version of VPIC, a particle-in-cell plasma physics code, to model the nonlinear physics of laser backscatter energy transfer and plasma instabilities in an attempt to. . (Science Daily)
Trident Laser Accelerates Protons To Record Energies Nov 4, 2009
The record measurements will be presented at the annual APS Division of Plasma Physics meeting in November 2009 in Atlanta, GA.. Adapted from materials provided by. (Science Daily)
Two new ESA satellites successfully lofted into orbit Nov 2, 2009
In addition, Proba-2 carries two Belgian solar physics instruments and two Czech plasma physics experiments. Two more Proba missions are already in the design and development phase. (Scientific American)
LANL Roadrunner Models Nonlinear Physics Of High-power Lasers Nov 1, 2009
Los Alamos scientists Lin Yin and Brian Albright of Applied Science and Method Development, along with Los Alamos guest scientist Kevin Bowers, are using an adapted version of VPIC, a particle-in-cell plasma physics code, on Roadrunner to model the nonlinear physics of laser backscatter energy transfer and plasma instabilities to assist colleagues at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory as they attempt to reach fusion ignition at the National Ignition Facility (NIF) next year. "These are the... (Science Daily)
Roadrunner Supercomputer Simulates Nanoscale Material Failure Oct 30, 2009
28, 2009) Scientists are using an adapted version of VPIC, a particle-in-cell plasma physics code, to model the nonlinear physics of laser backscatter energy transfer and plasma instabilities in an attempt to. (Aug. (Science Daily)
'Roadrunner' supercomputer verifying U.S. nuke reliability Oct 30, 2009
Over the last six months, Roadrunner proved its mettle working on 10 unclassified projects that advanced the state-of-the-art in astrophysics, plasma physics, nanotechnology, magnetic reconnection and materials science ... Prior to nuclear test simulations, Roadrunner was used to simulate aspects of the "Big Bang" that formed the universe, fusion reactor design, nanowire properties, plasma physics and materials science. (EETimes)
Science At The Petascale: Roadrunner Results Unveiled Oct 27, 2009
NONLINEAR PHYSICS OF HIGH-POWERED LASERS: Computer scientists adapt VPIC, a particle-in-cell plasma physics code, to simulate laser plasma interactions on the Roadrunner petascale supercomputer -- models critical to understanding inertial confinement fusion at the National Ignition Facility. MODELING TINY NANOWIRES AT LONG TIME-SCALES: How nanowires break under stress is simulated atom-by-atom over a period of time that is closer than ever to experimental reality to see how the movement of... (Science Daily)
A brave new brand of science Oct 17, 2009
"It focuses on the building blocks of matter at microscopic levels. The importance of AMO science derives from the enabling role it plays across many disciplines such as astrophysics, space sciences, atmos pheric and environmental sciences, plasma physics, exotic atoms and nuclei, condensed matter physics, measurement standards , military science and, increasingly, aspects of biosciences. "Two consequences of the enormous diversity of contemporary AMO science are that it possesses very many... (India Times, India -- Community News)
IBEX discovers that galactic magnetic fields may control the boundaries of our solar system Oct 17, 2009
The Center for Space Physics at Boston University carries out a wide variety of research in space physics including: space plasma physics, magnetospheric physics, ionospheric physics, atmospheric physics, and planetary and cometary atmospheric studies. . (EurekAlert!)
New Air Force Magnetron May Help Defeat Enemy Electronics Sep 18, 2009
"This invention exploits some plasma physics principles that have been applied to this problem as well as an innovative, new geometry to overcome the physical limitations of conventional magnetrons," said Gilgenbach. "The vision is to explore both a high power version of the magnetron invention and a separate higher frequency (mm wave) embodiment.". (Science Daily)
No authority to mandate health care (94) Sep 14, 2009
Observer1 wrote on Sep 12, 2009 11:05 PM:" cedarchopper - don't you understand the distinction between talking about something and endorsing something. That distinction is absolutely central to science: science is all about discussing, testing, and evaluating many possibilities - hypotheses - until the evidence endorses one hypothesis over the others. It's also central to policy, in which multiple policy options are described prior to one being recommended. In fact, this distinction is central... (Boerne Star, TX)
Lasers Generate Underwater Sound: Potential For Naval And Commercial Underwater Acoustic Applications Sep 8, 2009
Dr. Ted Jones, a physicist in the Plasma Physics Division, is leading a team of researchers from the Plasma Physics, Acoustics, and Marine Geosciences Divisions in developing this acoustic source. Efficient conversion of light into sound can be achieved by concentrating the light sufficiently to ionize a small amount of water, which then absorbs laser energy and superheats. (Science Daily)
Scientists using laser light to generate underwater sound Sep 7, 2009
Dr. Ted Jones, a physicist in the Plasma Physics Division, is leading a team of researchers from the Plasma Physics, Acoustics, and Marine Geosciences Divisions in developing this acoustic source. The researchers used a 532 nm laser pulse for their study at the Salt Water Tank Facility. (India Times, India -- Health/Science)
University of Nevada, Reno researcher uses 100,000 degree heat to study plasma Sep 3, 2009
The University of Nevada, Reno Physics Department has a team of about 20 scientists, faculty and research associates working on a variety of projects in the field of High Energy Density Plasma Physics Research. Mancini emphasized that having strong research programs is critical for the quality of education and training that the University can provide to students. (EurekAlert!)
Nuclear Fusion Research Key To Advancing Computer Chips Aug 25, 2009
The simulation tool combines computations in plasma physics, radiation transport, atomic physics, plasma-material interactions and magnetohydrodynamics, or what happens when a target is heated, melts and turns into a plasma. The work is based at the Center for Materials Under Extreme Environments at Purdue. (Science Daily)
$1million slated for proposed plant Aug 1, 2009
Dr. Stephen Paul, a physicist at Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, plans to convert a never-used sludge facility on Duck Island into the Trenton Fuel Works, a plant that will turn paper and food and yard waste into heating oil and fuel. The bill would provide $142 million for projects in New Jersey, including $1 million for the proposed plant. (NJ.com -- Times)
Phearless Farrell: Revered USU physicist looks back on 50 years of research, teaching Jul 27, 2009
Utah State University physics professor Farrell Edwards peers through the wires of the tokamak in the Plasma Physics Laboratory at Utah State's Innovation Campus at the end of the spring semester. (Meegan M. Reid/Herald Journal). (Logan Herald Journal, UT)
Magnetospheric Multiscale mission enters implementation phase Jun 19, 2009
Science team members include scientists from the University of New Hampshire; Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory; Austrian Academy of Sciences; GSFC; University of Colorado, Boulder; Lockheed Martin Advanced Technology Center; Rice University; the University of Iowa; Aerospace Corporation; University of California, Los Angeles; University of California, Berkeley; Japan's Institute of Space and Astronautical Science; Sweden's Royal Institute of Technology and Institute of Space... (EurekAlert! -- Business News)
Princeton University to offer early retirement Jun 17, 2009
Some employees are excluded from the program, such as university officers, employees of the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory and professional researchers. Dobkin and Sullivan-Crowley expressed hope in the letter that much of the reduced staffing levels necessary to meet the university's budget target could be achieved through the voluntary retirement program, vacancy management review, and voluntary reductions in employees' work schedules. (NJ.com -- Times)
New Radar Improves Defense Of Earth's Technologies Against Threat Of Space Weather Jun 5, 2009
James Borderick, of the Radio and Space Plasma Physics group, within the Department of Physics and Astronomy, said: Intense space weather events are triggered by the explosive release of energy stored in the Sun s magnetic fields ... We have implemented a new double pulse radar-operating mode on the Radio Space Plasma Physics Group s Co-operative UK Twin Located Auroral Sounding System (CUTLASS) radars. (Science Daily)
High-Intensity Lasers Throw Scientists a Curve Apr 11, 2009
Ultra-intense lasers hold much promise for improving scientific tools such as (LIBS), and deepening researchers' understanding of atomic, molecular, optical and plasma physics. The enormous intensity of these lasers (attributed to the brief but powerful pulses of energy they emit), however, makes it difficult for scientists to fully characterize and understand them. (Scientific American)
APS applauds confirmation of renowned scientists Holdren and Lubchenco to top administrative posts Mar 24, 2009
Trained in fluid dynamics and plasma physics, Holdren has devoted much of his career to energy and climate change research. He is the second physicist to join President Obama's Administration. (EurekAlert! -- Business News)
Syndication Inc. Announces 'PINNACLE ENERGY' a New Alternative Energy Subsidiary Mar 11, 2009
"It's time to make it official. Over the next couple of weeks I will be asking the BOD to authorize me to take the necessary actions to staff and propose the budget requirements for the new division. We now need professionals in the fields of alternative energy engineering and government finance, and it's time to hire them," said Sorrentino, the CEO of Syndication Inc. Among other specifics, the Company indicates that it will seek professionals with expertise in the areas of wind turbine energy,... (PR Newswire)
Innovative avionics enable search for habitable planets Mar 10, 2009
In addition to offering spacecraft avionics and computers, the SwRI staff has extensive expertise in spacecraft instruments, theoretical and observational studies, space plasma physics, data analysis and science support, planetary exploration and stellar astronomy. Kepler is a NASA Discovery mission. (EurekAlert! -- Business News)
Retooled plant awaits funding Mar 9, 2009
But Paul, who is also a physicist at Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, says he's been waiting for years for previously promised federal funding for the project. While the Department of Energy has required him to show he has matching private funding, investors are reluctant to put in money unless he has significant government support, he said. (NJ.com -- Times)
Harvard's Holdren Wields Oscar-Winning Dire Warning for Obama Climate Job Feb 10, 2009
D. degree in plasma physics, which he received in 1970 from near Palo Alto, California, Holdren immersed himself in environmental and population issues. He arrived at Harvard, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 1996. (Bloomberg -- US)
Not wasting food waste Feb 7, 2009
Stephen Paul of the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory even has a site in mind. Mr. Paul would like to see the old, unused sludge treatment plant on Duck Island converted into an organic recycling center that would process food waste, grass clippings and paper into a fuel that could power cars. (NJ.com -- Times)
