Vincent Queral

3D-printed fusion devices: Towards high-field ignition stellarators

Vicente Queral

CIEMAT

Friday, September 27, 2019

3:00pm

NW17-218

PSFC Seminars

Abstract: This talk will present additive and innovative manufacturing methods for toroidal fusion devices of the stellarator type, and a high-field ignition stellarator concept (i-ASTER). The coils and vacuum vessel of stellarators are geometrically complex. To deal with this complexity, additive manufacturing combined with composites appears appropriate. This technique is investigated and implemented in a table-top stellarator (UST_2), and is planned for i-ASTER. 3D-printed hollow shells, which are filled with fibre-reinforced resin, are tested in UST_2. i-ASTER is a conceptual design of high-field (B=10T), small size (V=30m3) and resistive-magnet experimental stellarator (not a power plant design), aimed at achieving ignition, studying burning plasmas and advancing power extraction systems (e.g. lithium-based). 

Bio: Vicente Queral has a MSc in Engineering (UPV Valencia) and a PhD in Plasmas and Nuclear Fusion (UC3M). He began his career as a designer of innovative automatic machinery for the industry. Later, he developed an interest in fusion energy and began by developing, building and operating a small fusion device in his garage (UST_1), which was replicated in Costa-Rica (SCR-1). Currently, as a governmental scientific researcher in fusion, he has specialized in the field of stellarators, particularly in additive and innovative manufacturing of components, and in remote maintenance for stellarators, IFMIF, ITER and DEMO.