Physicists have studied the behavior of plasma in water using X-rays

Plasma is an ionized gas, one of the four classical states of matter. He contains

free electrons and positive and negative ions. In a broader sense, plasma can consist of any charged particles (for example, quark-gluon plasma).

To study plasma discharges in water,scientists have used the latest diagnostic tools. The technologies in question allow us to deepen scientific knowledge in the field of plasma physics. It is believed that this will facilitate research in areas such as nuclear fusion, the production of pure hydrogen and hydrocarbon reforming.

For example, by understanding plasma physics, scientists canefficiently convert resin and recycled plastics into hydrogen and car fuel without any greenhouse gas emissions. In the future, these studies will lead to improvements in inertial confinement fusion energy sources.

Article published in Physical ReviewResearch, talks about the technology of X-ray analysis of the processes of pulsed initiation of plasma discharges in water. David Stack, who works in the Mike Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering at Texas A&M University, notes that the new technology will help scientists think differently about the behavior of plasma in liquids.

Our laboratory works with industrysponsored patented research on the use of multiphase plasma in carbon-free fuel reforming. By understanding this plasma physics, we can efficiently convert tar and recycled plastics into hydrogen and car fuel without any greenhouse gas emissions. In the future, these studies may lead to improvements in inertial confinement fusion energy sources.

David Stack, study author

Inertial thermonuclear fusion, in whichgenerated plasma with high temperature and high energy density is one of the main directions of the project. To better understand the plasma physics involved in this type of fusion, the team is developing short-term, high-speed imaging and diagnostic techniques using a simple and inexpensive plasma discharge system, Stack said.

In addition, they strive to better understand the phenomenawhich occur when a plasma is discharged into a liquid, causing a rapid release of energy, resulting in low-density microcracks in the water that travel more than 20 times faster than sound.

Read more

See how a black hole begins to destroy a star

Which lakes have disappeared from the face of the Earth and why

New particle discovered at the Large Hadron Collider