Understanding the plasma universe Our scientists create new ideas and partner with organizations like NASA to learn about the plasma environments surrounding Earth, neutron stars, and black holes. We also deepen the world’s understanding of magnetic reconnection, a ubiquitous process by which magnetic field lines snap apart and violently reconnect, releasing enormous amounts of energy. Reconnection on the sun’s surface triggers giant flares that could threaten Earth’s electrical grids, internet systems, and communications satellites. Meet the Team Hantao Ji Principal Investigator of the FLARE project; Professor of Astrophysical Sciences, Princeton University; Distinguished Research Fellow, Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory Jongsoo Yoo Research Physicist and Deputy Head of Discovery Plasma Science Masaaki Yamada Distinguished Research Fellow; Principal Research Physicist Yin Wang Staff Research Physicist Erik Gilson Head, Discovery Plasma Science Department Peiyun Shi Staff Research Physicist Sayak Bose Staff Research Physicist Austin Jones Engineering Electro-Mechanical Technician Peter Sloboda Engineering Lead Tech (Exp) Experiments Facility for Laboratory Reconnection Experiments (FLARE) FLARE is a one-of-a-kind device designed to probe the physics behind magnetic reconnection, one of the most fundamental yet still not fully understood phenomena in the universe. Its expanded suite of diagnostics, capacitors, drive and test magnets and dedicated control room offer research capabilities found nowhere else in the world. Magnetorotational Instability (MRI) Experiment The Magnetorotational Instability (MRI) experiment aims to shed light on the mysteries behind the processes that create our planets and stars. Liquid Metal Experiment-Upgrade (LMX-U) The Liquid Metal Experiment-Upgrade (LMX-U) allows researchers to investigate how liquid metal protects the inner walls and internal components of fusion devices from the intense heat of fusion reactions. Magnetic Reconnection Experiment (MRX) Investigating the fundamental physics of magnetic field line reconnection, an important process in magnetized plasmas in space and in the laboratory Partnerships Our lab scientists also collaborate with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on missions such as the Magnetospheric Multiscale Mission (MMS), which studies reconnection using instruments on four spacecraft flying in formation. We also partner with MagNetUS. Research Facility Networks MagNetUS
