The colliding planar shock (CPS) platform should deliver precise measurements of the characteristics of warm dense matter (WDM), a state of matter exhibiting properties of both solids and plasmas. This is a change where high energy physics experiments alone could provide accurate, clear-cut data without needing to rely so heavily on the predictions of models. …
The US Navy DDG(X) program wants next-generation guided-missile destroyers (DDGs) to replace the Navy’s Ticonderoga (CG-47) class Aegis cruisers and older Arleigh Burke (DDG-51) class Aegis destroyers. The US Navy plans to start buying the first DDG(X) in FY2032. The Navy’s proposed FY2024 budget requests $187.4 million in research and development funding for the program. …
Inertial confinement fusion (ICF) using lasers would resemble the rapid-fire explosions of an internal combustion engine. The NIF’s (National Ignition Facility) shot had a one-off ignition event. An ICF-based power plant may need to fire up to 10 laser shots per second, consuming almost 1 million targets a day, and produce far more energy per …
Lasers have been used to divert lightning strikes in real-world experiments. The work suggests that laser beams could be used as lightning rods to protect infrastructure, although perhaps not any time soon. Metal lightning rods are commonly used to divert lightning strikes and safely dissipate their charge. But the rods’ size is limited and they …
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Researchers were able to produce 2.5 megajoules of energy, 120 per cent of the 2.1 megajoules used to power the experiment. This means more energy out versus the energy deposited on the fuel pellet. The laboratory recently conducted a “successful” experiment at the National Ignition Facility. The National Ignition Facility is …
Lockheed Martin has delivered a tactically-relevant electric 300 kW-class laser to the US Army. This laser will be put onto a heavy military truck. It is the most powerful laser that Lockheed Martin has produced to date. This 300 kW-class laser is ready to integrate with the DOD demonstration efforts including the U.S. Army’s Indirect …
Arrays of lasers can be used to push light weight solar sails to other stars. This has been funded with over $100 millon and it builds upon the technology of the $600 billion laser and photonics industry. A recent paper looks at how different technological improvements will make it more feasible and improve the costs. …
Laser hair caps might be a relatively new concept to most people, but the technology behind these amazing devices has been around for decades. This makes it one of the most effective options for regrowing hair and reversing balding. Understanding Low Level Laser Therapy In order to understand what a laser hair cap is, we …
Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Iron Beam (national laser defense) is designed to intercept close-range drones, rockets and mortars which might not remain in the air long enough for Israel’s current Iron Dome missile defense system to intercept. Rafael Advanced Defense Systems said test data show Iron Beam lasers are blasting away more than 90 percent …
The University of Surrey is developing lasers to beam solar power from satellites that are in sunlight to small satellites orbiting which are being eclipsed. The project is part of the £7.4 million national SPRINT (SPace Research and Innovation Network for Technology) program. SPRINT provides unprecedented access to university space expertise and facilities and helps …
On Aug. 8, 2021, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory’s (LLNL’s) National Ignition Facility (NIF) made a significant step toward ignition, achieving a yield of more than 1.3 megajoules (MJ). This is still twelve times less than the 20 megajoules that simulations indicate can be achieved. Everything would need to be redesigned to try to get to …