Biao Cai’s Post

At Sonkit, we are on the forefront of advancing nuclear fusion technology with our cutting-edge metal sealing solutions. Recently, our team had the privilege of engaging with esteemed scientists at the Institute of Plasma Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, where we showcased our innovative fourth-generation superconducting sealing technology designed for the rigorous demands of fusion reactors. The importance of high-performance metallic seals in fusion energy cannot be overstated. As we witnessed firsthand at ASIPP, our seals are engineered to withstand extreme conditions—high temperatures, intense magnetic fields, and radiation—while ensuring the leak-tight integrity of reactor vessels. This milestone not only reflects our commitment to excellence but also emphasizes the critical role collaboration plays in driving advancements in fusion technology. Moving forward, we are dedicated to further enhancing the performance of our sealing solutions. By exploring new materials and integrating smart technology for real-time monitoring, we are committed to meeting the needs of the fusion research community. The road to practical fusion energy is challenging, but the rewards of clean, limitless energy make it a journey worth pursuing. Join us as we advance the future of energy through innovative sealing technologies. We invite researchers, engineers, and partners to connect with us to explore custom solutions that can contribute to your fusion projects. Together, we can pave the way for a sustainable energy future. #NuclearFusion #EngineeringInnovation #SustainableEnergy #CollaborativeResearch https://lnkd.in/ed6FbFAR

At Sonkit, we are on the forefront of advancing nuclear fusion technology with our cutting-edge metal sealing solutions. Recently, our team had the privilege of engaging with esteemed scientists at the Institute of Plasma Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, where we showcased our innovative fourth-generation superconducting sealing technology designed for the rigorous demands of fusion reactors. The importance of high-performance metallic seals in fusion energy cannot be overstated. As we witnessed firsthand at ASIPP, our seals are engineered to withstand extreme conditions—high temperatures, intense magnetic fields, and radiation—while ensuring the leak-tight integrity of reactor vessels. This milestone not only reflects our commitment to excellence but also emphasizes the critical role collaboration plays in driving advancements in fusion technology. Moving forward, we are dedicated to further enhancing the performance of our sealing solutions. By exploring new materials and integrating smart technology for real-time monitoring, we are committed to meeting the needs of the fusion research community. The road to practical fusion energy is challenging, but the rewards of clean, limitless energy make it a journey worth pursuing. Join us as we advance the future of energy through innovative sealing technologies. We invite researchers, engineers, and partners to connect with us to explore custom solutions that can contribute to your fusion projects. Together, we can pave the way for a sustainable energy future. #NuclearFusion #EngineeringInnovation #SustainableEnergy #CollaborativeResearch https://lnkd.in/ed6FbFAR

At Sonkit, we are on the forefront of advancing nuclear fusion technology with our cutting-edge metal sealing solutions. Recently, our team had the privilege of engaging with esteemed scientists at the Institute of Plasma Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, where we showcased our innovative fourth-generation superconducting sealing technology designed for the rigorous demands of fusion reactors. The importance of high-performance metallic seals in fusion energy cannot be overstated. As we witnessed firsthand at ASIPP, our seals are engineered to withstand extreme conditions—high temperatures, intense magnetic fields, and radiation—while ensuring the leak-tight integrity of reactor vessels. This milestone not only reflects our commitment to excellence but also emphasizes the critical role collaboration plays in driving advancements in fusion technology. Moving forward, we are dedicated to further enhancing the performance of our sealing solutions. By exploring new materials and integrating smart technology for real-time monitoring, we are committed to meeting the needs of the fusion research community. The road to practical fusion energy is challenging, but the rewards of clean, limitless energy make it a journey worth pursuing. Join us as we advance the future of energy through innovative sealing technologies. We invite researchers, engineers, and partners to connect with us to explore custom solutions that can contribute to your fusion projects. Together, we can pave the way for a sustainable energy future. #NuclearFusion #EngineeringInnovation #SustainableEnergy #CollaborativeResearch https://lnkd.in/ed6FbFAR

I would like to share with you this paper published in Nuclear Materials and Energy, in which, together with a group of researchers from all over Europe, we describe the results of the design and optimization of concrete materials (ordinary and heavy) and the evaluation of technical parameters. We have also estimated the shielding potential of these concretes, and these preliminary shielding results are being verified experimentally. Further publications of the project, in which I have the pleasure to participate, are in preparation. https://lnkd.in/eYJcdYzE

I am thrilled to announce that our paper "Non-modal stability analysis of magneto-hydrodynamic flow in a single pipe" has been published by the Fundamental Plasma Physics journal. A complete understanding of the stability of fluid flows under varying magnetic fields is imperative for achieving control of plasma and operating fluids in the blankets of future nuclear fusion reactors.  This study investigates the influence of varying magnetic profiles on the flow regime of a generic fluid, which is representative of both thermonuclear plasma and conductive fluids. Firstly, the classic modal stability technique is employed to study asymptotical stability. Then, non-modal stability analysis is applied to study the system's response for a finite time immediately after a perturbation. If you want to know more, here is the full article. #NuclearFusion #PlasmaPhysics #Magnetohydrodynamics #NonModalStabilityAnalysis

Can plasma flows explain discrepancies between models and experimental results for divertor performance? This is the key question addressed in our most recent publication, featured in the Nuclear Fusion journal from IOP Publishing. Power #exhaust is a key challenge for the realisation of a Tokamak reactor. This is controlled and mitigated through the #divertor, an integrated system of open magnetic geometry and material structures. Due to material constraints for safe and continuous operation, the divertor operation is required to be - at least partially - in a #detached regime in future tokamaks, a beneficial condition in which both particle and energy fluxes on the divertor targets are strongly reduced. In order to provide an easier access and an extended operational window for this regime, it is possible to leverage the characteristics of the magnetic field in the divertor. One possibility, according to analytical models, is to shift the divertor target towards a larger major radius, that is the base of the Super-X Divertor (#SXD) concept. However, this analytical prediction requires integrated experimental testing to be validated. In our work, we compared this prediction with experimental results from the #TCV Tokamak at the Ecole polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne, highlighting significant discrepancies. By revising and extending the analytical models, and with the support of complex numerical simulations, we have identified the parallel flows in the divertor region as a key element to explain these discrepancies. This sheds light on part of their role in the divertor performance, and provides a simplified way to include their effect in this specific analytical model. A big thank-you to all the co-authors from the Swiss Plasma Center at EPFL team! The complete paper can be found at https://lnkd.in/eFNUxvYc.

In many ways, a fusion reactor is passively safe; most off-normal events within such a device produce a naturally occurring behavior that leads to the calm shutdown of the fusion reaction without operator intervention. One outlier off-normal event is the formation of a relativistic electron beam, which is a very high-energy electron beam capable of causing significant damage to reactor walls. A concept to passively disperse these high-energy electrons before they build up a large beam is to perturb their orbits by applying a magnetic field. To make this response passive, a conducting coil can be installed inside the reactor. Without any power supply connection, this coil is energized by the initial relativistic electrons during early formation of the beam. The resulting magnetic field then disturbs the electron orbits, causing them to be lost before the beam reaches appreciable energy levels. In this newly published work from Alexander Battey and colleagues, they unveil a new modeling tool for designing these coils. Taking into account the vacuum vessel of the device, the appropriate positioning and winding path of the coil can be determined. Furthermore, the expected effect on relativistic electron beams is simulated, ensuring that the optimum coil has been designed. Over the next few years, we will see these coils installed in both the DIII-D tokamak and the SPARC tokamak of Commonwealth Fusion Systems. Experimental demonstration in research devices is an important step to designing a Fusion Pilot Plant and the reactors that follow. This work was led by Columbia University with co-authors from the Plasma Science and Fusion Center at MIT, General Atomics, and Commonwealth Fusion Systems. A.F. Battey, et al., Nuclear Fusion 64, 016010 (2024), https://lnkd.in/gD6GWYvw #fusionenergy #relativity #coils

⚡ Tokamak with Reactor Technology (TRT) is being developed as a full-scale prototype of a future fusion reactor/neutron source. It is designed to study the behavior of plasma in quasi-stationary modes close to ignition, research and development of various methods for additional plasma heating, fuel supply, blanket technologies, development of new diagnostics operating in high neutron fluxes, and development of tritium technology. ⚡ “Currently there is a lot of construction going on at the site, just like there was in the 70s and 80s, and it will develop even more. The construction of the Tokamak with Reactor Technologies will lead to the restoration of Russia’s ideological and technological leadership in the field of controlled thermonuclear fusion,” said Kirill Ilyin, Director General of the State Research Center of the Russian Federation TRINITI. https://lnkd.in/e2fwpVnV 🌷🌷🌷

For the upcoming Soft2024 conference i have been invited to give a plenary presentation on : 𝗡𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗪𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗜𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗙𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 Nuclear fusion faces a pivotal challenge at its core: striking a delicate balance between containing and stabilizing intensely hot plasma within a fusion reactor, while also protecting the surrounding wall materials from extreme heat and radiation. Achieving this balance is crucial for realizing fusion as a clean and sustainable energy source. This paper delves into the scientific, engineering, and material aspects of this challenge, spotlighting innovative solutions and ongoing research efforts, particularly at the plasma-wall interface. Regarding Plasma Facing Materials, tungsten (W) is widely regarded as the primary candidate. It can endure the harsh conditions inside a fusion reactor, such as high thermal loads, intense neutron flux, and aggressive plasma-wall interactions. This contribution examines the current state of research on tungsten, exploring its applications for ITER and beyond, and identifying challenges that need resolution. Looking towards future fusion reactors, this paper explores evolving material requirements considering improved reactor designs and heightened performance expectations. This includes considering the potential roles of advanced materials like composites, high-entropy alloys, and innovative surface coatings. These materials could offer enhanced resistance to radiation damage, better thermal management, and extended service life. The presentation concludes by highlighting the importance of interdisciplinary research in materials science and engineering. This collaborative effort is essential to overcome the challenges posed by the harsh environment of fusion reactors and to develop effective components for the reactor’s first wall and divertor. This is a crucial step towards the realization of clean and sustainable fusion energy. #fusionenergy #fusionista #materials https://lnkd.in/dbi4-HB5

https://lnkd.in/eCSNbNpd My latest work has been just published. In that work, I collaborated with researchers from Germany, the Netherlands and the US, in order to simulate the transport of ^229Th^3+ through a helium buffer gas and predict how the ion's electronic state affect its gas-phase transport properties. This study reveals remarkable differences in the ion mobility depending on its electronic state and paves the way to the use of experimental techniques characterizing heavy ions in terms of their transport properties (such as Laser Resonance Chromatography, LRC) to produce the metastable 7s ^2S state of ^229Th^3+, which is currently been considered as the "ideal" electronic state to monitor the nuclear clock transition in this ion. Moreover, this study shows for the first time the applicability of LRC to multiply charged atoms.