Expert Details
Plasma Physics
ID: 723029
New Jersey, USA
He is an internationally known researcher in plasma physics, fusion technology and in particular the dense plasma focus (DPF) device. The DPF uses the pinch effect to produce high magnetic fields and high plasma temperature. Beginning in 1984, he developed a detailed quantitative theory of the functioning of DPF. Based on this theory, he proposed that the DPF could achieve high ion and electron energies at high densities, suitable for advanced fuel fusion and space population. Under a series of contracts with JPL, he planned and participated in carrying out experiments that tested and confirmed this theory. In these experiments he designed the instrumentation and analyzed the data produced. In addition, he developed an original model of the role of the strong magnetic field effect on DPF functioning, showing that this effect could have a large effect on increasing ion temperature and decreasing electron temperature. In 2006 he began a new series of experiment in collaboration with, and partially funded by, the Chilean Nuclear Energy Commission. He is the co-inventor on a patent application for a new approach to fusion energy, based on the DPF. This includes a new method of efficiently converting x-rays to electrical energy. He has been an invited speaker at the 5th and 6th Symposia on Current Trends in International Fusion Research. His work has been published in Laser and Particle Beams and IEEE Transactions on Plasma Science. In addition to his work in fusion technology, he is an expert in plasma instability theory and magneto-plasma dynamics.
Education
| Year | Degree | Subject | Institution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year: 1968 | Degree: BA | Subject: Physics | Institution: Columbia University |
Work History
| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
|---|---|---|---|
| Years: 1974 to Present | Employer: Undisclosed | Title: President | Department: |
Responsibilities:He carries out extensive research in plasma physics in the fields of controlled fusion and astrophysics. This work includes the development of original theories in both fields, the conception and supervision of experiments in fusion (carried out in collaboration with leading universities), and publication of papers. In addition, as President, he solicits funding for the research, raising money both from government grants, such as from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, as well as from private investors. He also consults on a variety of subjects, including plasma physics and computer technology and writes extensively on science and technology for the technical press. |
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Government Experience
| Years | Agency | Role | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Years: 1994 to 2001 | Agency: Jet Propulsion Laboratory, NASA | Role: Principal Invesitigator | Description: He supervised an extensive series of experiments, in cooperation with University of Illinois and Texas A&M University on the use of the plasma focus device for fusion propulsion. He developed a theoretical model, designed electrodes, designed diagnostic equipment, including x-ray detector and filters, Rogowski coil. He actively participated in the experiments including selection of experimental parameters and construction of heating apparatus for decaborane functioning. He analyzed the resulting data. The experiments demonstrated the achievement of 200keV energies (equivalnet to 2 billion degrees). |
Career Accomplishments
| Associations / Societies |
|---|
| IEEE American Astronomical Society |
| Publications and Patents Summary |
|---|
| He is the author of one book, "The Big Bang Never Happened", 15 scientific papers, and over 600 magazine articles on science and technolgy and holds one patent. |
Additional Experience
| Training / Seminars |
|---|
| Seminar on focus fusion apporach to fusion energy production |
| Other Relevant Experience |
|---|
| He has been a researcher in plasma physics since 1979, and has become internationally known for his studies linking cosmic plasma phenomena and laboratory fusion devices, especially the dense plasma focus. He has developed original theories of quasars, large scale structure, the microwave background and the origin of light elements all based on the plasma cosmology approach, which is an alternative to the Big Bang theory. This work has been presented at international conferences and published in the Astrophysical Journal, Astrophysics and Space Sciences and other scientific journals. In 2001, he and colleagues at Texas A&M University successfully achieved ion and electron energies equivalent to two billion degrees K, sufficient to fuse hydrogen-boron fuel. Two years later he demonstrated that the high magnetic fields that can be produced in the plasma focus will greatly reduce the cooling of the plasma by x-rays form the electrons, and thus make achieving net energy production easier. He has presented this work as an invited speaker at the Fifth and Sixth Symposium on Current Trends in International Fusion He is currently preparing for a new set of plasma focus experiments, including using hydrogen boron fuel, in collaboration with the Chilean Nuclear Energy Commission, as well as continuing research in plasma cosmology. In addition to research activity, he has written widely on scientific and technological subjects, publishing over 600 articles in magazines such as IEEE Spectrum, Aerospace America, Discover and IBM Research. |
Language Skills
| Language | Proficiency |
|---|---|
| Frech | He can easily read French, but not speak or write it, |