Plasma Science and Fusion Center IAP Series
Jeffrey Freidberg, Peter Catto, Steve Wukitch
No enrollment limit, no advance sign up
Participants welcome at individual sessions (series)
This series introduces plasma physics research and areas of related interest at the Plasma Science and Fusion Center. See URL below.
Web: http://www.psfc.mit.edu/
Contact: Paul Rivenberg, NW16-284, x3-8101, rivenberg@psfc.mit.edu
Sponsor: Plasma Science and Fusion Center
Star Trek: Magnetic Fusion's New Journey
Miklos Porkolab
In Cadarache, France, the world is about to embark on the largest international science project ever undertaken, building the International Tokamak Experimental Fusion Reactor (ITER), a high temperature, self-heated “burning” plasma experiment. This talk will present recent advances in high temperature plasma physics research on existing tokamak facilities and discuss some of the remaining physics issues surrounding ITER.
Tue Jan 10, 11am-12:00pm, NW17-218
The Future Prospects of Fusion Plants
Farrokh Najmabadi UC San Diego
Tue Jan 10, 02-03:00pm, NW17-218
America the Powerless: Facing our Nuclear Energy Dilemma
Alan Waltar Director of Energy, DOE Pacific Northwest National Lab
America once provided clear global leadership in the development of civilian nuclear power. However, a set of concerns--including a fear of radiation, waste disposal, nuclear proliferation, risk phobia and the environmentalist movement--essentially stopped nuclear power growth in the U.S. during the 1980s and 1990s. The tide is now turning and the prospects for a nuclear renaissance appear to be quite strong.
Wed Jan 11, 11am-12:00pm, NW17-218, Sponsored by NSE
Hydrodynamic Instabilities in Astrophysics and at High Energy Density
Paul Drake Laboratory for Astrophysical Simulations
In the evolution of both astrophysical systems and high-energy-density laboratory systems, hydrodynamic instabilities naturally evolve. The speaker will discuss the instabilities that appear in both environments, using examples taken from experiments aimed at Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF), from astrophysical systems, and from experiments using high-energy-density systems to address issues in astrophysics.
Wed Jan 11, 02-03:00pm, NW17-218
Radiation and Modern Life: Fulfilling Marie Curie's Dream
Alan Waltar Director of Energy, DOE Pacific Northwest National Lab
Radiation has been harnessed over the past hundred years to provide an astonishing array of benefits to modern life. Agriculture, medicine, industry, transportation, space exploration, public safety, environmental protection and electrical production have all been affected. In the U.S. alone, well over $400 billion is added to our economy annually from the applications of radiation, as well as over 4 million jobs.
Thu Jan 12, 10-11:00am, NW17-218, Sponsored by NSE
Out of Gas - The End of the Age of Oil
David Goodstein California Institute of Technology
The world will start to run out of cheap, conventionally-produced oil much sooner than most people expect, possibly within this decade. This talk will discuss the reasoning that leads to that conclusion and the likely consequences if it is correct. Cosponsored with the PSFC by Physics Department and the Energy Council.
Thu Jan 12, 02-03:30pm, 4-370
ITER-Relevant Research on Alcator C-Mod Tokamak
Bob Granetz
Despite its compact size, many of Alcator C-Mod's engineering and plasma parameters are comparable to those planned for ITER. This enables C-Mod to address a number of the physics issues relevant to ITER and to provide valuable input to ITER's design.
Fri Jan 13, 10-11:00am, NW17-218
Stable under Pressure: High Beta Plasmas in the (Almost) Levitated Dipole Experiment
Darren Garnier Columbia University
In its first year of operation, the Levitated Dipole Experiment has routinely produced stable high beta (the ratio of plasma to magnetic energy) plasmas with the dipole suspended by small supports. LDX is the first experiment to show such high beta plasma that is stabilized by compressibility. This talk will discuss the current challenges facing LDX, and the plans for levitation of the dipole.
Fri Jan 13, 11am-12:00pm, NW17-218
Tour of PSFC Fusion Experiments
Tour guide to be announced
The PSFC is exploring fusion through two different devices. The Alcator C-Mod tokamak is a well tested approach that has produced decades of progress towards achieving fusion energy. The Levitated Dipole Experiment is a brand new approach, only been in operation since August. Come see what makes these experiments unique.
Fri Jan 13, 01-02:00pm, NW17-218 and NW21
Latest update: 19-Jan-2006
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