Events on Monday, April 15th, 2019
- Plasma Physics (Physics/ECE/NE 922) Seminar
- Overview of TAE Technologies’ Norman/C-2W Field-Reversed Configuration Experiments
- Time: 12:05 pm
- Place: 2241 Chamberlin Hall
- Speaker: Hiroshi Gota, TAE Technologies
- Abstract: TAE Technologies (formerly named “Tri Alpha Energy”) is based out of state-of-the-art plasma research facilities in California. Over the last 20 years, TAE has continued to build on our early technology and evolve our advanced beam-driven field-reversed configuration (FRC) approach to realize/develop a commercially competitive clean fusion energy. An FRC is a prolate compact toroid (CT) that has many attractive features such as extremely high β value, simple axisymmetric geometry, unrestricted natural divertor, and potentially enabling the use of advanced, aneutronic fuels. The newly constructed C-2W experimental device (also called “Norman”) is the world’s largest CT device and has the following key system upgrades from the preceding C-2U device: (i) higher injected power, optimum and tunable energies, and extended pulse duration of the neutral-beam injection (NBI) system; (ii) installation of inner divertors with upgraded edge-biasing systems; (iii) fast external equilibrium/mirror-coil current ramp-up capability; (iv) installation of trim/saddle coils for active feedback control of the FRC plasma; and (v) extensive upgrade/expansion of plasma diagnostic capability. C-2W has produced dramatically improved initial FRC parameters (good target for effective NBI), thus producing better FRC performance overall compared to C-2U; e.g. higher temperatures (initially and later in a discharge), longer lived plasmas. This talk will review highlights of the C-2W program as well as recently obtained experimental results.
- PGSC Professional Development Seminar
- Opportunities in Entrepreneurship and Medicine with a Physics PhD
- Time: 1:30 pm - 4:00 pm
- Place: B343 Sterling Hall
- Speaker: Rock Mackie, PhD, Chief Innovation Officer, UW Health
- Abstract: After getting his physics PhD, Rock Mackie has gone on to develop novel radiation therapy treatment, inventing the helical tomotherapy concept. He is the founder and Chairman of TomoTherapy, a company in Madison, WI, as well as the leader of the UW Health Innovation Initiative. He will join us Monday to meet with physics graduate students to discuss careers in medical physics and physics entrepreneurship. Pizza will be provided first-come first-serve at 1pm. He will give a presentation at 1:30pm, followed by a Question and Answer session at 3pm.
- Host: Neil Campbell, Graduate Student