A TEACHER'S GUIDE TO PLASMA SCIENCE RESOURCES

MAN-MADE PLASMAS
Click on the for a check list of National Science Standards the site fulfills.

A. Neon and Fluorescent Lamps

The Fluorescent Lamp: As part of the "Exploration of the Earth's Magnetosphere" site, this one page gives a basic overview of how a fluorescent light works, and how it involves plasma.

How Stuff Works - Neon vs Fluorescent Light: Explains the difference between neon and fluorescent lights. Simple and informative. No mention of ionized gas as plasma. Site allows you to search for plasma-related questions.

B. Fusion

1. Overview of Fusion

CPEP, Contemporary Physics Education Project: CPEP offers a number of helpful charts, with topics that include Fundamental Particle and Interactions, Nuclear Science, and Plasma Physics and Fusion. The website helps explicate the charts and provides helpful links to related material.

Culham Centre for Fusion Energy, UK’s National Research Laboratory: This site has an excellent introduction to fusion energy, including access to a number of videos that explain plasma and fusion energy.

European Commission Research - Fusion: Excellent content information, but not activity oriented. In the sidebar, click “Under the Microscope” to access Plasma Physics and more.

The Internet Plasma Physics Education eXperience (IPPEX): Excellent basic introduction to plasma and fusion energy, with educational interactive tutorials. The viewer can operate a virtual tokamak and analyze data. Explains pros and cons of fusion vs. fossil fuels. Very responsive to e-mail questions.

General Atomics Fusion Energy Site: Excellent site for teacher and student. Its 66-image slide show is a good introduction to why it is important to develop an alternative to fossil fuel power.

Fusion and Plasma Science FAQ: Large glossary, many links to experiments. Very basic information in a no-frills format. Last modified 2/95.

Fusion Education: The site, a subnode of the Office of Fusion Energy Sciences home site, provides a list of fusion-related education sites and resources around the world.

Fusion Basics: Some basic information on fusion, clearly presented. Also includes links to European Fusion Information Network, and a comprehensive fusion glossary. Sponsored by Joint European Torus (JET), this site also provides excellent posters, brochures and videos on its multimedia pages: http://www.jet.efda.org/multimedia/.

Applied Superconductivity and Cyroscience Group (ASCG): The ASCG of the Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy takes a broad, multidisciplinary approach to applied superconductivity research. The work includes the synthesis of superconductors, the design and fabrication of conductors and their characterization. Superconductivity (there is a plasma and fusion section featuring Darren Garnier and Joe Minervini from the PSFC).

2. Environmental Implications of Fusion Power

Fusion FAQ - Environmental: from the Fusion and Plasma Science FAQ. Revised in 1995. Text only. Explores interesting questions about the environmental impact and political consequences of fossil fuel based economies, and the promise of fusion.

C. Plasma Processing

Thermal Spraying Process: This describes/illustrates a commercial process of using plasma for durable unique coatings.

Torchmate (Plasma Cutter): Torchmate (Plasma Cutter) is a commercial site, but has one or two pages of educational materials, discussing plasma and how a cutter works.

Plasma Etch, Inc.: In educating their customers about plasma, this site does a good job of explaining some basic benefits of plasma processing, including electronic, industrial and medical applications.

D. Plasma Propulsion in Space

Ions in Action: The experiment of rubbing a balloon on your hair to pick up confetti segues into a discussion of ions. Although it does not mention plasma directly, it does state that in an ion propulsion engine a charge is given to xenon gas. This is supplemented by Deep Space I Engine Facts, fact sheet on ion propulsion. Elementary level. Part of the larger web site: The Space Place.

How Stuff Works - Fusion Propulsion: This site is an encyclopedia of how things work and how things will work. "Fusion Propulsion" includes an explanation of how fusion technology will be applied in the future to rocket propulsion. It links to other "How Stuff Works" sites, including rocket engines, NASA, the sun, stars, etc. Students have opportunities to visit this site and seek further explanations whenever they find unfamiliar terms. This site also runs distracting adds for cell phones, etc.

Ad Astra Rocket Company: Ad Astra Rocket Company (AARC) is a rocket propulsion company dedicated to the advanced development of plasma rocket propulsion technology. It is developing VASIMR (Variable Specific Impulse Magnetoplasma Rocket) and associated technologies. The site provides a good explanation of plasma and how it works in rocket propulsion. It includes models and videos.

Franklin Chang Diaz - Ask the Expert (NOVA): A former NASA astronaut answers questions about plasma rockets. Franklin Chang-Diaz answers questions from students of all ages and provides links to the PBS video of the astronaut talking about plasma and rocket propulsion. Also see video about Plasma Rockets.

E. Plasma Displays

How Stuff Works - Plasma Displays: In this site students will see evidence of "Science and technology," "Science as a human endeavor," etc., because these applications of plasma technology have become available to consumers during students' lifetimes.

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