Center for Magnetic Acceleration, Compression, and Heating

Stored: Center for Magnetic Acceleration, Compression, and Heating

Center for Magnetic Acceleration, Compression, and Heating

Type	Program
Sponsor Organization	University of Michigan
Top Organization	Department of Energy
Creation Legislation	Not specified; part of broader research initiatives
Website	Website
Purpose	MACH conducts research into the physics of magnetically compressed and heated plasmas, aiming to advance the understanding necessary for the development of more efficient nuclear fusion devices and to support the National Nuclear Security Administration's stockpile stewardship mission.
Program Start	2023 (shifted from Cornell University)
Initial Funding	$14.5 million from the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
Duration	5 years (from 2023)
Historic	No

The Center for Magnetic Acceleration, Compression, and Heating (MACH) at the University of Michigan is dedicated to exploring the physics of magnetically compressed and heated plasmas, with goals to improve nuclear fusion technologies and contribute to the NNSA's efforts in maintaining the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile through science-based stewardship. Research focuses on plasma behavior under high magnetic fields to inform fusion device design and material behavior under extreme conditions.

Official Site

Goals

• Investigate fundamental physics of plasmas under high magnetic compression and heating.
• Support the development of more efficient and larger fusion machines.
• Contribute to the understanding of material properties at extreme conditions for nuclear stockpile stewardship.
• Train students and post-docs in advanced plasma physics and fusion science.

Organization

MACH is led by Professor Ryan McBride, who directs the center within the Department of Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences at the University of Michigan. The center's operations are supported by a team of researchers, students, and postdoctoral fellows, with governance involving an advisory board. Funding primarily comes from the NNSA through the Stewardship Science Academic Alliances (SSAA) program.

Partners

• University of Michigan
• Cornell University (previous host)
• Sandia National Laboratories

History

MACH was initially established at Cornell University before moving to the University of Michigan in 2023. The transition was facilitated by the need for continued research in magnetic compression of plasmas, which has applications in both fusion energy and nuclear weapons stewardship. The center's research has been pivotal in understanding Z-pinch physics, a method for plasma compression using magnetic fields.

Funding

The center received a $14.5 million grant from the NNSA for a five-year period starting in 2023. This funding supports research, equipment, student training, and collaboration with national labs. There's no public information on additional funding beyond this initial grant, but the nature of such centers often involves seeking further funding to continue or expand research activities.

Implementation

Implementation involves experimental work using facilities like the Michigan Accelerator for Inductive Z-Pinch Experiments (MAIZE) and theoretical modeling. The center focuses on Z-pinch experiments, power transmission in plasmas, and material studies under extreme conditions. The program is set to run for at least five years, with no defined end date beyond this period.

Related

• National Nuclear Security Administration
• Stewardship Science Academic Alliances

External links

• https://ners.engin.umich.edu/research/centers/mach/
• No specific Wikipedia article for MACH; general information on the University of Michigan can be found at wikipedia:University of Michigan

Social media

• There are no specific social media accounts for MACH; updates can be found through the University of Michigan's social media.