Latest news from Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory on Newswise en-us Copyright 2025 Newswise 115 31 / /images/newswise-logo-rss.gif /articles/improving-the-way-flash-memory-is-made/?sc=rsin /articles/improving-the-way-flash-memory-is-made/?sc=rsin Wed, 29 Jan 2025 09:20:41 EST The narrow, deep holes required for one type of flash memory are made twice as fast with the right recipe, which includes a plasma made from hydrogen fluoride. Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory /articles/elena-belova-and-yevgeny-raitses-recognized-for-groundbreaking-plasma-physics-research/?sc=rsin /articles/elena-belova-and-yevgeny-raitses-recognized-for-groundbreaking-plasma-physics-research/?sc=rsin Fri, 17 Jan 2025 07:30:51 EST Yevgeny Raitses and Elena Belova were named PPPL's 2024 Distinguished Research Fellows for their exceptional contributions to plasma physics. Their pioneering work in low-temperature plasma and fusion simulations highlights PPPL's leadership in advancing plasma research and fusion energy. Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory /articles/state-of-the-art-fusion-simulation-leads-three-scientists-to-the-2024-kaul-foundation-prize/?sc=rsin /articles/state-of-the-art-fusion-simulation-leads-three-scientists-to-the-2024-kaul-foundation-prize/?sc=rsin Wed, 15 Jan 2025 08:30:37 EST PPPL scientists Choongseok (CS) Chang, Seung-Hoe Ku and Robert Hager are winners of the 2024 Kaul Foundation Prize for pioneering simulations that suggest excess heat from escaping plasma particles is less likely to damage the inside of a fusion vessel than once thought. Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory /articles/pppl-leading-two-chips-and-science-act-projects/?sc=rsin /articles/pppl-leading-two-chips-and-science-act-projects/?sc=rsin Thu, 26 Dec 2024 16:15:38 EST The U.S. Department of Energy has selected the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory to receive two prestigious Microelectronics Science Research Center. The DOE program leading to these awards originated from the CHIPS and Science Act. Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory /articles/plasma-heating-efficiency-in-fusion-devices-boosted-by-metal-screens/?sc=rsin /articles/plasma-heating-efficiency-in-fusion-devices-boosted-by-metal-screens/?sc=rsin Thu, 19 Dec 2024 20:15:32 EST Scientists have performed computer simulations confirming a technique that prevents the production of unhelpful electromagnetic waves, boosting the heat put into fusion plasma. Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory /articles/spinning-fusion-fuel-for-efficiency/?sc=rsin /articles/spinning-fusion-fuel-for-efficiency/?sc=rsin Tue, 19 Nov 2024 08:30:38 EST A new method to increase fusion-fuel efficiency would involve aligning the quantum spin of deuterium and tritium and changing the mix of the two fuels. The approach could boost tritium-burn efficiency by up to 10 times, reducing tritium needs and lowering fusion system costs. The technique could lead to safer, more compact fusion systems, making fusion energy more practical and affordable. Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory /articles/ensuring-a-bright-future-for-diamond-electronics-and-sensors/?sc=rsin /articles/ensuring-a-bright-future-for-diamond-electronics-and-sensors/?sc=rsin Tue, 05 Nov 2024 08:30:47 EST To expand the potential use of diamond in semiconductor and quantum technologies, researchers are developing improved processes for growing the material at lower temperatures that won't damage the silicon in computer chips. These advances include insights into creating protective hydrogen layers on quantum diamonds without damaging crucial properties like nitrogen-vacancy centers. Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory /articles/researchers-find-clues-to-the-mysterious-heating-of-the-sun-s-atmosphere/?sc=rsin /articles/researchers-find-clues-to-the-mysterious-heating-of-the-sun-s-atmosphere/?sc=rsin Fri, 11 Oct 2024 09:05:36 EST PPPL researchers have made a significant advancement in understanding the underlying heating mechanism of the sun's atmosphere, finding that reflected plasma waves could drive the heating of coronal holes. Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory /articles/new-ai-models-of-plasma-heating-lead-to-important-corrections-in-computer-code-used-for-fusion-research/?sc=rsin /articles/new-ai-models-of-plasma-heating-lead-to-important-corrections-in-computer-code-used-for-fusion-research/?sc=rsin Wed, 09 Oct 2024 08:30:26 EST New artificial intelligence models for plasma heating can do more than was previously thought possible, not only increasing the prediction speed 10 million times while preserving accuracy but also correctly predicting plasma heating in cases where the original numerical code failed. Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory /articles/stopping-off-the-wall-behavior-in-fusion-reactors/?sc=rsin /articles/stopping-off-the-wall-behavior-in-fusion-reactors/?sc=rsin Mon, 07 Oct 2024 08:30:42 EST New experimental results suggest that sprinkling boron into a tokamak could shield the wall of the fusion vessel and prevent atoms from the wall from getting into the plasma. A new computer modeling framework shows the boron powder may only need to be sprinkled from one location. The experimental results and computer modeling framework will be presented this week at the 66th Annual Meeting of the American Physical Society Division of Plasma Physics in Atlanta. Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory /articles/a-new-and-unique-fusion-reactor-comes-together-with-pppl-s-contributions/?sc=rsin /articles/a-new-and-unique-fusion-reactor-comes-together-with-pppl-s-contributions/?sc=rsin Mon, 30 Sep 2024 08:30:42 EST As part of the global effort to harness power from fusing plasma, PPPL and the University of Seville's Plasma Science and Fusion Technology Lab worked on the computer codes, engineering and physics for a new and unique fusion reactor: the SMall Aspect Ratio Tokamak. Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory /articles/smart-ofrece-un-plasma-de-fusi-n-f-cil-de-gestionar/?sc=rsin /articles/smart-ofrece-un-plasma-de-fusi-n-f-cil-de-gestionar/?sc=rsin Mon, 30 Sep 2024 08:30:36 EST Como parte del esfuerzo internacional para el desarrollo de la fusion nuclear como fuente de energia, PPPL contribuye al desarrollo y explotacion cientifica del SMall Aspect Ratio Tokamak, SMART, de la Universidad de Sevilla, con algunas de las simulaciones numericas, ingenieria y fisica del plasma mas avanzadas hasta la fecha. Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory /articles/replacing-hype-about-artificial-intelligence-with-accurate-measurements-of-success/?sc=rsin /articles/replacing-hype-about-artificial-intelligence-with-accurate-measurements-of-success/?sc=rsin Wed, 25 Sep 2024 05:00:00 EST A new paper in Nature Machine Intelligence notes that journal articles reporting how well machine learning models solve certain kinds of equations are often overly optimistic. The researchers suggest two rules for reporting results and systemic changes to encourage clarity and accuracy in reporting. Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory /articles/emily-carter-wins-prestigious-marsha-i-lester-award-from-american-chemical-society/?sc=rsin /articles/emily-carter-wins-prestigious-marsha-i-lester-award-from-american-chemical-society/?sc=rsin Tue, 24 Sep 2024 08:30:32 EST Nominees for the award must be members of the ACS's physical chemistry division. The winner receives the award at the meeting, gives a research presentation, and receives an honorarium. Carter is just the second person to receive this newly established award. Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory /articles/pppl-researcher-lan-gao-wins-a-doe-2-75-million-early-career-award-to-develop-innovative-diagnostic-tools-for-future-fusion-energy-devices/?sc=rsin /articles/pppl-researcher-lan-gao-wins-a-doe-2-75-million-early-career-award-to-develop-innovative-diagnostic-tools-for-future-fusion-energy-devices/?sc=rsin Fri, 20 Sep 2024 13:05:05 EST PPPL research scientist Lan Gao received a $2.75 million Early Career Research Program Award from the U.S. Department of Energy for her research on innovative X-ray diagnostics to develop fusion energy. Gao recently became head of PPPL's High Energy Density Laboratory Plasmas Division of the Discovery Plasma Science Department. Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory /articles/trailblazers-in-plasma-turbulence-computer-simulations-win-2024-james-clerk-maxwell-prize2/?sc=rsin /articles/trailblazers-in-plasma-turbulence-computer-simulations-win-2024-james-clerk-maxwell-prize2/?sc=rsin Mon, 16 Sep 2024 15:45:18 EST Greg Hammett and Bill Dorland have been awarded the 2024 James Clerk Maxwell Prize for Plasma Physics for their pioneering work on turbulence in plasma, a key challenge in the quest for fusion energy. Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory /articles/bubbling-frothing-and-sloshing-long-hypothesized-plasma-instabilities-finally-observed/?sc=rsin /articles/bubbling-frothing-and-sloshing-long-hypothesized-plasma-instabilities-finally-observed/?sc=rsin Tue, 27 Aug 2024 08:30:55 EST PPPL scientists have observed new details of how plasma interacts with magnetic fields, potentially providing insight into the formation of enormous plasma jets that stretch between the stars. Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory /articles/quenching-the-intense-heat-of-a-fusion-plasma-may-require-a-well-placed-liquid-metal-evaporator/?sc=rsin /articles/quenching-the-intense-heat-of-a-fusion-plasma-may-require-a-well-placed-liquid-metal-evaporator/?sc=rsin Wed, 21 Aug 2024 08:30:46 EST New fusion simulations of the inside of a tokamak reveal the ideal spot for a "cave" with flowing liquid lithium is near the bottom by the center stack, as the evaporating metal particles should land in just the right spot to dissipate excess heat from the plasma. Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory /articles/laura-berzak-hopkins-joins-pppl-as-new-associate-laboratory-director-for-strategy-and-partnerships/?sc=rsin /articles/laura-berzak-hopkins-joins-pppl-as-new-associate-laboratory-director-for-strategy-and-partnerships/?sc=rsin Mon, 12 Aug 2024 12:05:03 EST Seasoned national laboratory scientist and leader Laura Berzak Hopkins joins PPPL as its new associate laboratory director for strategy and partnerships and deputy chief research officer. Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory /articles/heating-for-fusion-why-toast-plasma-when-you-can-microwave-it/?sc=rsin /articles/heating-for-fusion-why-toast-plasma-when-you-can-microwave-it/?sc=rsin Tue, 06 Aug 2024 08:30:43 EST Can plasma be sufficiently heated inside a tokamak using only microwaves? New research suggests it can! Eliminating the central ohmic heating coil normally used in tokamaks will free up much-needed space for a more compact, efficient spherical tokamak. Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory