{"id":51933,"date":"2024-10-16T09:52:43","date_gmt":"2024-10-16T08:52:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.innovationnewsnetwork.com\/?p=51933"},"modified":"2024-10-16T09:52:43","modified_gmt":"2024-10-16T08:52:43","slug":"mast-upgrade-will-help-answer-crucial-questions-in-fusion-physics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.innovationnewsnetwork.com\/mast-upgrade-will-help-answer-crucial-questions-in-fusion-physics\/51933\/","title":{"rendered":"MAST Upgrade will help answer crucial questions in fusion physics"},"content":{"rendered":"

A worldwide team is spearheading a series of ambitious fusion physics experiments using the UK\u2019s compact tokamak, Mega Amp Spherical Tokamak (MAST) Upgrade, starting today at UKAEA\u2019s Culham Campus.<\/h2>\n

Over the next 100 days, the UK\u2019s national fusion energy laboratory will work with more than 100 scientists from 37 institutions worldwide on MAST Upgrade\u2019s fourth round of fusion physics experiments.<\/p>\n

The scientists aim to conduct over 50 experiments, the largest number ever run by MAST Upgrade in an experimental campaign, to generate up to 1,600 plasma pulses.<\/p>\n

A pulse refers to the duration a plasma is confined within a fusion energy machine\u2019s inner vessel.<\/p>\n

MAST: World-class research in commercial fusion physics<\/h3>\n

MAST Upgrade received significant enhancements to its operating system this year, including the addition of a cryoplant.<\/p>\n

This facility produces and distributes the cooling power<\/a> required for the magnets, thermal shields, and cryopumps to reduce the pressure inside the machine\u2019s inner vessel and raise the plasma\u2019s temperature.<\/p>\n

UKAEA and the Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council funded the \u00a35 million enhancements.<\/p>\n

Equipped with world-class diagnostics, MAST Upgrade can conduct a wide range of measurements, supporting an extensive research programme aimed at delivering sustainable fusion physics.<\/p>\n

What will the MAST Upgrade focus on?<\/h3>\n

To create fusion, fusion fuel and a confined environment with high temperatures and pressures are needed.<\/p>\n

The research findings from MAST Upgrade are essential for advancing global knowledge of fusion physics.<\/p>\n

MAST Upgrade is a compact fusion machine<\/a> designed in the shape of a cored apple, in contrast to other ring-shaped tokamaks. It tests plasma science theories with deuterium fuel \u2013 an isotope of hydrogen \u2013 using real-world experiments.<\/p>\n

This will be MAST Upgrade\u2019s fourth scientific campaign and will focus on these two areas:<\/p>\n