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National Institute for Fusion Science

Research Activities

Research Report2018

Research Updates December 12, 2018
Fast Particles Distort Electric Potential in the Plasma:High-Precision Particle Simulation Research

Many people see lightning flashes in the hanging dark clouds and below the clouds. At the moment the lightning flashes, the electric currents are flowing in the lightning. ...

Press ReleaseEurekAlert! December 6, 2018
Developing new materials for the fusion reactor

In the future fusion reactor, plasma is confined by using the magnetic field inside the doughnut-shaped vacuum vessel. ...

Research Updates November 21, 2018
Operating Simulator of Large Superconducting Magnetic Cooling Device - Heading for the early establishment of an optimal design and an operating method –

The Large Helical Device (LHD) generates strong magnetic fields to confine plasma by cooling the large superconducting magnet to an extremely low temperature of -270K. ...

Research Updates November 1, 2018
Joint Project between National Institute for Fusion Science and Southwest Jiaotong University in the People’s Republic of China

National Institute for Fusion Science(NIFS) enters into academic agreements with universities and laboratories around the world to promote many collaborative research projects. ....

Research Updates September 19, 2018
Exploring the Conditions for the Use of Superfluid Helium:Boiling Experiment under Exceedingly Minute Gravity

In the Large Helical Device, in order to generate a magnetic field for confining plasma, using liquid helium we cool the helical coils to a temperature of – 270 degrees Celsius. ...

Research Updates August 29, 2018
Asymmetry that Appears in Plasma: Comparison between Density Measurements Based upon the Heavy Ion Beam Probe and Theoretical Research

In physics research “symmetry” is an extremely important concept. What is symmetry? For example, when we fold a star mark ✩ in half vertically through the center, the folded mark will perfectly overlap. ...

Research Updates July 18, 2018
Research on Flows Born in Plasmas: Seeking to Clarify the Influence of the Flow upon Plasma Performance

The word “flow” is commonly heard in phrases such as “flow of the river,” “air flow” (current and wind), and “the flow of people.” ...

Research Updates June 27, 2018
Developing New Materials for the Fusion Reactor: Success in Developing Vanadium Alloys Strong at High Temperatures and Appropriate for Manufacturing and Welding

In the future fusion reactor, the blanket, which is an important equipment for generating electricity, will be installed. ...

Research Updates June 6, 2018
Improvement of Confinement Performance in Deuterium Experiments: Comparison of Energy Confinement Times

In order to achieve fusion energy, it is necessary to confine high-temperature plasma in the magnetic field for a long period of time. ...

Research Updates May 17, 2018
Visualization Research Utilizing an Immersive Virtual Reality Device: Constructing Helical DEMO Reactor in a Virtual Space

The term “virtual reality” is heard frequently. At the National Institute for Fusion Science (NIFS) is an immersive virtual reality device called the CompleXcope. ...

Research Updates April 25, 2018
Mechanisms of Sudden Phenomenon Eruptions:New Discoveries for Immediate Prediction of Plasma Loss

When observed over a long period of time, there are phenomena that will occur certainly some day and for which it is difficult to accurately when an event will occur. ...

Research Updates March 28, 2018
Plasma Research Extending to the Fields of Energy, Medical Treatment, Industry, and Outer Space: Presentations Delivered at the National Institutes of Natural Sciences Research Symposium

The National Institutes of Natural Sciences has held the “Natural Sciences Research Symposium” since 2005. At this conference, researchers explain leading edge research in the sciences to the general public in an easy to understand manner. ...

Research Updates March 14, 2018
Sending “Big Data” at the World’s Fastest Speed: Collaboration between the Research Center at Rokkasho and Other Institutes

The Large Helical Device (LHD) is used not only by the National Institute for Fusion Science, but also jointly by researchers at universities throughout Japan. Further, when the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) under construction at present is completed and operation begins, researchers around the world will begin to conduct collaborative research by utilizing ITER. ...

Press ReleaseEurekAlert! March 1, 2018
A new discovery that makes possible prediction immediately before plasma loss

In phenomena occurring in nature and in society, it is often commented that "Something may happen at any time, but it is difficult to predict when that something may occur. ...

Research Updates February 21, 2018
Which Came First, the Chicken or the Egg?: Investigating the Law of Causality in the Generation and Suppression of Turbulence

Recently, throughout Japan wild boars, or inoshishi, and other wild animals have been sighted and reported in the news. ...

Research Updates January 31, 2018
A High-Precision Simulation of “Detached Plasma” that Mitigates Plasma Heat Load to the Divertor: Development of a Precise Calculation Program for Pursuing the Movement of Various Kinds of Particles

In the Large Helical Device (LHD) we confine high temperature plasma in the magnetic field. Plasma consists of electrons and ions that have borne electrical charge (charged particles). ...

Research Updates January 10, 2018
Visually Investigating Turbulent Flows by Using Liquid Crystal: Experimental Research on Transport by Convection

When we heat water in a pan on the stove, the water at the bottom of the pan is heated and the temperature of all the water in the pan increases. ...