Towards a steady-state fusion reactor: understanding and controlling eruptive instabilities in tokamaks. The lifetime of future fusion reactors may be severely compromised by periodic releases of internal energy which can damage the reactor walls. In an international research effort that is based on unique Australian optical technologies, the project aims to resolve some of the key issues that should allow these instabilities to be suppressed.
Understanding helium induced nanostructure formation. This project addresses the interaction dynamics of high-flux helium particles with materials that drives surface nanowire growth. These dynamics are important to nuclear reactor materials and to developing new nanotechnology materials for high energy density lithium-ion battery anodes and water splitting catalysts. Through model and experiment, this project expects to generate new knowledge of processes that drive sub-surface nano-bubble form ....Understanding helium induced nanostructure formation. This project addresses the interaction dynamics of high-flux helium particles with materials that drives surface nanowire growth. These dynamics are important to nuclear reactor materials and to developing new nanotechnology materials for high energy density lithium-ion battery anodes and water splitting catalysts. Through model and experiment, this project expects to generate new knowledge of processes that drive sub-surface nano-bubble formation and surface nanowire growth in materials exposed to helium particles. This project will result in improved understanding of material degradation during nuclear reactor operation and will make a new contribution to high-value manufacturing capabilities for next generation energy systems.Read moreRead less
Physics of a new low power electrothermal radiofrequency plasma thruster. Electric propulsion is the new wave of attitude control for spacecraft. Space engines must be small, lightweight and able to run unattended for over 20 years in a very harsh environment. The physics of a new electrothermal radiofrequency plasma thruster will be investigated. Neutral gas heating will be initially quantified by optical spectroscopy combined with computer generated simulated spectra. A space ready prototype w ....Physics of a new low power electrothermal radiofrequency plasma thruster. Electric propulsion is the new wave of attitude control for spacecraft. Space engines must be small, lightweight and able to run unattended for over 20 years in a very harsh environment. The physics of a new electrothermal radiofrequency plasma thruster will be investigated. Neutral gas heating will be initially quantified by optical spectroscopy combined with computer generated simulated spectra. A space ready prototype will be designed, manufactured and developed to carry out direct measurements of thrust and gas heating in our large space simulation vacuum facility.Read moreRead less
Plasma-soft tissue interactions: advancing a new era of plasma technologies. This project aims to develop the prerequisite knowledge to underpin new plasma technologies. Specifically, the project plans to provide new insight into the interaction between ionised gas plasma jets and biological soft tissue. It plans to use advanced analytical techniques and modelling simulations to investigate the physics of the plasma jet and processes occurring at the jet–tissue interface. It also plans to use (b ....Plasma-soft tissue interactions: advancing a new era of plasma technologies. This project aims to develop the prerequisite knowledge to underpin new plasma technologies. Specifically, the project plans to provide new insight into the interaction between ionised gas plasma jets and biological soft tissue. It plans to use advanced analytical techniques and modelling simulations to investigate the physics of the plasma jet and processes occurring at the jet–tissue interface. It also plans to use (bio)engineered tissue targets, chemical, biological and cellular assays to probe the transport and effects of plasma reactive species deep within tissue. This new knowledge would enable the development of new plasma sources and protocols for applications in health, medicine, biotechnology and manufacturing.Read moreRead less
Auger, Quantum Electro-Dynamics, Axions and New Technology. New technology developed by Australia, Sweden and the United States will be applied to major questions about the application of relativistic quantum mechanics to atomic structure and dynamics and spectroscopy, especially including critical issues in quantum electro-dynamics for atomic physics and applications. Discrepancies in quantum electro-dynamics have dominated international debate for decades, with claimed explanations annually fa ....Auger, Quantum Electro-Dynamics, Axions and New Technology. New technology developed by Australia, Sweden and the United States will be applied to major questions about the application of relativistic quantum mechanics to atomic structure and dynamics and spectroscopy, especially including critical issues in quantum electro-dynamics for atomic physics and applications. Discrepancies in quantum electro-dynamics have dominated international debate for decades, with claimed explanations annually failing to reveal the cause. Also a pattern of discrepancies has been seen at X-ray energies in first row metal atoms, with a similar sign and magnitude. A combined experimental an theoretical investigation will aim to reveal new light on these anomalies and serve to develop our understanding of the universe.Read moreRead less
Multi-region relaxation dynamics in fusion and stellar plasmas. This project aims to apply a static plasma modelling approach to linear modes of vibration and nonlinear explosive events in toroidally confined fusion plasma experiments and stellar atmospheres. The long-term survival of advanced civilisation depends on the development of reliable and ecologically sustainable energy sources. One of the most promising approaches for baseload electrical power is magnetic confinement fusion: harnessin ....Multi-region relaxation dynamics in fusion and stellar plasmas. This project aims to apply a static plasma modelling approach to linear modes of vibration and nonlinear explosive events in toroidally confined fusion plasma experiments and stellar atmospheres. The long-term survival of advanced civilisation depends on the development of reliable and ecologically sustainable energy sources. One of the most promising approaches for baseload electrical power is magnetic confinement fusion: harnessing, in a magnetic field, the nuclear reactions that power stars. This project will develop powerful new ways of modelling strong plasma instabilities in magnetised plasmas. Learning how to avoid these would remove a key barrier to fusion power.Read moreRead less
Anisotropy and flow in fast-particle dominated and burning tokamak plasmas: stability of ITER and the coming demonstration fusion power plant. This project will identify how beam injected and fusion born alphas affect the magnetic ?eld and excite wave modes in spherical tokamaks, where these particles have the most impact. Understanding these effects is critical to long pulse operation of high performance tokamaks with burning plasmas. In the UK spherical tokamak MAST for instance, fast ion driv ....Anisotropy and flow in fast-particle dominated and burning tokamak plasmas: stability of ITER and the coming demonstration fusion power plant. This project will identify how beam injected and fusion born alphas affect the magnetic ?eld and excite wave modes in spherical tokamaks, where these particles have the most impact. Understanding these effects is critical to long pulse operation of high performance tokamaks with burning plasmas. In the UK spherical tokamak MAST for instance, fast ion driven bursty “chirping modes” and “?shbone” modes evolve into "long-lived" modes damaging plasma performance. This project will resolve the physics of the seed fast ion driven mode, its linear threshold and fully nonlinear evolution. Wider outcomes include scoping the impact of beams and alphas in next step burning plasma experiments, such as a nuclear facility for materials development, ITER, and a fusion power plant.Read moreRead less
Emergence and control of self-organisation in fusion plasmas: through the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) and beyond. Fusion is a carbon free technology, which promises millions of years of base-load power. The promise has led to massive support for the proof-of-principle experiment, ITER. A challenge facing ITER is minimising edge instabilities, which can destroy the plasma facing wall. The project will explore if a new model can describe and control these instabilities.