A waveguide helps carry radiofrequency waves created by the microwave generator to the lithium-deuteride pellets that will be used in the spin-polarized fusion project. (Photo: Aileen Devlin/Jefferson Lab)
Three research groups are reporting fusion-related developments, including ongoing work toward spin-polarized fusion, a new plasma diagnostic tool heading to the National Ignition Facility, and a materials science project that could impact the design of inertial confinement fusion fuel targets.
Particle accelerator technologies, such as this niobium-tin particle accelerator cavity, may lead to advancements in nuclear waste transmutation. (Photo: Jefferson Lab)
The Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility is leading research supported by two Department of Energy Advanced Research Projects Agency–Energy (ARPA-E) grants aimed at developing accelerator technology to enable nuclear waste recycling, decreasing the half-life of spent nuclear fuel.
Both grants, totaling $8.17 million in combined funding, were awarded through the Nuclear Energy Waste Transmutation Optimized Now (NEWTON) program, which aims to enable the transmutation of nuclear fuels by funding novel technologies for improving the performance of particle generation systems.
