Events at Physics |
Events During the Week of November 19th through November 25th, 2017
Monday, November 20th, 2017
- Plasma Physics (Physics/ECE/NE 922) Seminar
- Multiscale computational modeling and materials research for next-step devices after ITER
- Time: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
- Place: Chamberlin 2241
- Speaker: Prof. Brian D. Wirth, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
- Abstract: The performance of plasma facing components (PFC) and structural materials is one of the main issues facing ITER and future magnetic fusion reactors. Tungsten will be used in ITER as the PFC material and is considered to be one of the primary candidates for future reactors. However, recent experiments that exposed tungsten to He plasma exposure or He ion irradiation with ion energy less than about 100 eV (well below the threshold energy for physical sputtering or Frenkel pair production in tungsten) reveal significant surface modification, including the growth of nanometer-sized “fuzz”, and formation of a layer of nano-bubbles in the near-surface region [1,2]. It is widely accepted that He atoms in tungsten, like in other metals, are insoluble and tend to form small clusters, which serve as the nucleating event for the formation of larger gas bubbles. It is also clear from atomistic simulations [3,4] that the processes of trap mutation produce W interstitial atoms that lead to surface morphology modification as the interstitials diffuse to and annihilate at the surface, in addition to plastic flow and dislocation loop punching processes driven by high compressive stresses caused by over-pressurized clusters, or nanometer-sized bubbles, and these processes can alter both the tungsten surface morphology and the He clustering dynamics.
One of the challenges with describing these effects for the large-extrapolations in performance required for the PFCs in next-step devices beyond ITER is the large span of spatial and temporal scales of the governing phenomena and, therefore, the theoretical and computational tools that can be used. Fortunately, recent innovations in computational modeling techniques, increasingly powerful high performance and massively parallel computing platforms, and improved analytical experimental characterization tools provide the means to develop self-consistent, experimentally validated models of plasma materials interactions that govern the performance and degradation of the divertor and PFCs in the fusion energy environment. This presentation will describe the challenges associated with modeling the performance of divertor PFCs in a next-step fusion materials environment, the opportunities to utilize high performance computing and present examples of recent progress to investigate the dramatic surface evolution of tungsten exposed to low-energy He and H plasmas, as well as the coupled He-defect evolutions in bulk structural materials exposed to high-energy He and neutron irradiation before laying out a vision for developing a computational materials modeling framework for fusion materials behavior.
[1] S. Takamura, et al., Plasma Fusion Res. 051 (2006) 1
[2] M. J. Baldwin and R. P. Doerner, Nucl. Fusion 035001 (2008) 48
[3] F. Sefta, et al., Nucl. Fusion 073015 (2013) 53
[4] A. Lasa, et al., NIMB 156-161 (2013) 303 - Host: Cary Forest
Tuesday, November 21st, 2017
- Chaos & Complex Systems Seminar
- Artificial intelligence: Evolution and agency
- Time: 12:05 pm - 1:00 pm
- Place: 4274 Chamberlin (refreshments will be served)
- Speaker: Terry Allard, Office of Naval Research and NASA (retired)
- Abstract: One fear often expressed in the mass media and popular culture is that artificially intelligent machines will become fully autonomous and self-improving to the point that their capabilities will exceed that of human beings. As a consequence, intelligent machines could become a more dominant life form on the planet, superseding human primacy in culture, science, technology, competitiveness and value. A key concept underlying this fear is the notion that machines can have their own agency independent of human control or influence. Today’s discussion will explore the nature of agency and the future of artificial intelligence from narrow single-function capability to super-intelligence exceeding current human potential.
- Host: Clint Sprott
Wednesday, November 22nd, 2017
- No events scheduled
Thursday, November 23rd, 2017
- No events scheduled
Friday, November 24th, 2017
- No events scheduled