NEWS: Plasma science

A glass torus glows with purple plasma

April 5, 2024

Student-Designed “Altator” Achieves First Plasma

For the first time since 2016, a toroidal device housed at the PSFC has produced plasma, and it’s thanks to the work of ten graduate students. Named Altator in homage to the experimental tokamak that operated at the PSFC from 1994 to 2016, the students’ device is a miniature version that will be used to show visitors how plasma flows and is confined within the donut-shaped architecture of a tokamak’s design. 

Abhay K Ram, a physics professor at MIT PSFC, smiles as he stands in front of a whiteboard holding a physics textbook.

May 31, 2023

A new mathematical “blueprint” is accelerating fusion device development

How can plasma physicists harness the power of quantum computers? Abhay K. Ram, a PSFC Principal Research Scientist, and his co-authors Efstratios Koukoutsis, Kyriakos Hizanidis, and George Vahala have an answer in their recently published paper called “Dyson maps and unitary evolution for Maxwell equations in tensor dielectric media”.

PSFC News

Datta arms crossed in hall in front of photo display

March 28, 2023

Exploring the bow shock and beyond

Rishabh Datta’s main focus is, “Can we create this high energy plasma that is moving supersonically in a laboratory, and can we study it? And can we learn things that are hard to diagnose in an astrophysical plasma?”

PSFC News

Two female graduate students presenting plasma demos at a table

March 27, 2023

Engaging young women in plasma science

The PSFC journeyed to the Young Women's Conferemce at Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory to inspire young women to consider science as a field of study and a career.

PSFC News

September 29, 2022

PSFC researchers honored with John Dawson Award

Three members of the PSFC High-Energy-Density Physics (HEDP) Division have been honored with the APS John Dawson Award for Excellence in Plasma Physics Research: Maria Gatu Johnson, Richard Petrasso and Johan Frenje.

PSFC News

Skylar Dannhoff in grey chair in lounge area

September 26, 2022

Finding community in high-energy-density physics

As part of the PSFC's High-Energy-Density Physics Division, graduate student Skylar Dannhoff is discovering the collaborative world of fusion research.

Plasma Science and Fusion Center

Image of lasers at NIF

August 24, 2022

MIT students contribute to the success of historic fusion experiment

MIT has contributed to the success of the ignition program at the National Ignition Facilty for more than a decade by providing and using a dozen diagnostics, implemented by MIT PhD students and staff, which have been critical for assessing the performance of an implosion, like the one pictured.  

PSFC News

Tuba Balta at PSFC

July 8, 2022

Fusion’s new ambassador

High school student Tuba Balta engages new audiences through her MIT PSFC internship.

PSFC News

Photo of John Rice on courtyard bench

February 22, 2022

John Rice on Plasma Rotation

John Rice's new book "Driven Rotation, Self-Generated Flow, and Momentum Transport" consolidates an understanding of the topic gained from years of experience at MIT.

PSFC News

Jack Hare, MIT

January 18, 2022

Mapping the depths of plasma physics

In his new lab where he will study how plasma behaves in the universe, assistant professor of nuclear science and engineering Jack Hare draws inspiration from spelunking.

NSE News

Diagram of ARCH concept

April 12, 2021

On course to create a fusion power plant

Since taking on course 22.63 (Principles of Fusion Engineering) over a decade ago Prof. Dennis Whyte has moved away from standard lectures, prodding the class to work collectively on  “real world” issues. The course has been instrumental in guiding the real future of fusion at the PSFC.

PSFC News

Pages

© 2024 Plasma Science and Fusion Center