Center for Matter Under Extreme Conditions

Stored: Center for Matter Under Extreme Conditions

Center for Matter Under Extreme Conditions

Type	Program
Sponsor Organization	University of California, San Diego
Top Organization	Department of Energy
Creation Legislation	Not specified; part of broader research initiatives
Website	Website
Purpose	Studies matter in extreme conditions for fusion, lithography, and nuclear stewardship, advancing science and training future experts.
Program Start	2018
Initial Funding	$10.5 million from the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
Duration	Ongoing; funding renewed in 2023
Historic	No

The Center for Matter Under Extreme Conditions at UCSD studies matter under extreme conditions of pressure, temperature, and radiation, which is critical for applications in inertial confinement fusion, extreme ultraviolet lithography, and supporting the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile stewardship mission. It conducts both experimental and theoretical research to push the boundaries of high-energy density science.

Official Site

Goals

• Explore the physics of matter under extreme conditions to understand and predict material behavior.
• Develop new experimental methods for studying high-energy density physics.
• Train and educate future scientists in high-energy density science for national security applications.
• Collaborate with national labs to enhance scientific capabilities in extreme condition research.

Organization

The center is directed by Professor Farhat Beg from the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at UCSD. It involves faculty from various departments, graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers, with governance through a steering committee. Funding comes from the NNSA through the Stewardship Science Academic Alliances (SSAA) program, with collaborative efforts involving other UC campuses and national laboratories.

Partners

• University of California, San Diego
• University of California, Berkeley
• University of California, Davis
• University of California, Los Angeles
• University of Rochester
• General Atomics

History

The Center for Matter Under Extreme Conditions was established in 2018 with initial funding from the NNSA. It was created to advance the scientific understanding necessary for maintaining the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile without underground testing. In 2023, the center received $12.5 million in renewed funding, highlighting its ongoing relevance and success in the field of high-energy density physics.

Funding

The center started with a $10.5 million grant in 2018, followed by a $12.5 million renewal in 2023. These funds support research, educational programs, and collaboration with national labs. Funding is part of the NNSA's commitment to academic partnerships in stewardship science, with no specific end date for the program.

Implementation

Research involves experiments using high-power lasers, Z-pinches, and other facilities to create and study matter at extreme conditions. Theoretical work includes modeling and simulations of these conditions. The center supports a comprehensive educational program, including summer schools and internships. There's no defined end date, as this is an ongoing research and training initiative.

Related

• National Nuclear Security Administration
• Stewardship Science Academic Alliances

External links

• https://cmec.ucsd.edu/
• No specific Wikipedia article for this center; general information on UCSD can be found at wikipedia:University of California, San Diego

Social media

• There are no specific social media accounts for the Center; updates can be found through UCSD's social media.