Plasma science determines many characteristics of fusion energy reactors. Instabilities in the plasma edge correlate to the power exhaust reaching the walls. This exhaust can be expelled in highly concentrated regions, setting challenging requirements for materials.
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If you enjoy fusion energy discussions in short form, please consider joining Bluesky. Right now, fusion energy topics are a small part of the Science and Physics feeds, but we could change that! There seems to be an infinite number of dog related feeds on Bluesky. Relevant image below.
The negative triangularity plasma scenario is shaking up fusion energy research due to its high performance and ability to significantly reduce the engineering requirements for a reactor. New research shows how to optimize this scenario.
Gratitude to the Fusion Industry Association (FIA) for hosting a great Annual Policy Conference! I took pride introducing the DIII-D National Fusion Facility and announcing that eight FIA member organizations are DIII-D users conducting fundamental R&D at the facility.
To make fusion energy, negative triangularity directs power exhaust into a region with lower magnetic field, causing power to spread more broadly along the wall. This would reduce engineering requirements for the plasma facing wall material in a reactor. https://doi.org/10.1088/1741-4326/ad69a4
Talks from the symposium of Fusion Power Associates are now available. You might find it interesting to read some of these perspectives from different fusion energy research teams. Or skip straight to the DIII-D talk!