Plasma-based technologies

Plasma research has resulted in the development of unique technologies in diagnostics, heating, and confinement that have significant value to other applications in energy and the environment. Additionally, the PSFC’s extensive experience with magnetic fields, high-power radio waves, accelerators, detectors, and nuclear technology has broad applications beyond its core scientific missions. Experience in these areas has enabled the development of low-temperature plasma technologies (low as in cooler than the sun, still very hot) and non-thermal chemistry to help solve environmental problems. The PSFC has a long history of innovatively applying experience gained in fusion plasma research to other areas; the PSFC won seven Research and Development Awards (R&D 100), spun off three companies, and generated over 60 issued patents. These developments have included novel sensors for automotive applications, glass melters, and air pollution. In addition, the group has demonstrated systems for waste transformation into useful products, as well as nuclear waste solidification for safe storage. Ongoing research is looking to enhance geothermal systems for 24/7 climate-safe energy production and to store nuclear waste as far as possible from the biosphere using plasma to drill holes into the Earth. Examples of technologies that have been developed or are under development include:

• Microwave-based sensors for soot detection, diesel vehicle filters, and environmental monitoring
• Improved sensors for the detection of explosives and chemical warfare agents
• Microwave troch plasma for continuous emissions that monitor stack exhaust pollution
• Millimeter-wave diagnostics for glass melters, including nuclear waste vitrification
• Plasma arc melters to convert waste into inert materials and organic waste into clean fuel
• Plasma-based chemical reactors for fuel reformation to reduce NOx emissions and improve fuel efficiency
• Application of fusion plasma research of high power millimeter-wave sources to geothermal energy and deep borehole storage of nuclear waste

Contacts

Paul Woskov
ppwoskov@mit.edu

Leslie Bromberg
brom@psfc.mit.edu