Integrated stellarator concept study for a new U.S. stellarator experiment at UW– Madison

This project supports the UW fusion plasma science and technology community to mature their vision of a new mid-scale stellarator research facility, developed at the College of Engineering and the College of Letters and Sciences. The stellarator is a concept for fusion energy production that offers steady state operation with small requirements to control the system.

Hence, such a system is attractive as a commercial fusion energy source but central physics and technology aspects of the concept need to be verified. Enabling technology elements need to be demonstrated and implemented into the concept design. Such technology elements are new functional surfaces that aid the plasma material interaction, new advanced manufacturing methods to aid buildability, access and maintenance of the device and innovative heating methods to realize the plasma conditions necessary to showcase key stellarator advantages. These steps are considered to be a strong support for emerging considerations of the stellarator in the U.S. strategic planning for a Fusion Pilot Plant. The stellarator concept is featured as an important strategic element for its “large discovery potential” in this strategic plan for Fusion Energy. Innovation at UW Madison can make significant contributions to this mission and this Research Forward proposal aims at developing a scientifically compelling pre-conceptual device layout that can be used to raise support from federal funding agencies as well as private investors for a new U.S. stellarator facility.

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Oliver Schmitz, professor of material science and engineering

 

CO-PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATORS

Dave Anderson, professor of electrical and computer engineering

Benedikt Geiger, assistant professor of engineering physics

Chris Hegna, professor of engineering physics

 

CO-INVESTIGATORS

Lianyi Chen, assistant professor of mechanical engineering and GIE
Stefanie Diem, assistant professor of engineering physics

John Sarff, professor of physics

Kumar Shridharan, professor of engineering physics

Paul Terry, professor of physics