Is it Possible to Build a Star on Earth?

Speaker: Dr Kate Lancaster, University of York

Trying to recreate the energy source of the stars, nuclear fusion on earth presents huge challenges in physics and engineering. The benefits of nuclear fusion, if successful, are an almost limitless, clean energy source. There are many challenges associated with keeping matter at 150 million degrees trapped inside a reactor without touching it!

This talk is the story of how, in the absence of a lab the size of a star, we are attempting to make fusion into an energy source for the future.

Tea and coffee will be available from 6 pm in the Lennard-Jones foyer. Talks start at 7 pm and are followed by Q&A.

This talk will be accompanied by a British Sign Language interpreter.

Whilst it isn’t necessary to register for this event, it will help with our rooming and refreshment arrangements if you do.

About the Speaker

Dr Lancaster is an experimental plasma physicist with expertise in inertial fusion energy and ultra-intense laser plasma interactions, industrial engagement, knowledge transfer, teaching, and science communication (speaking, broadcast, and written).

Her research is in the field of experimental laser-plasma interactions with emphasis on fast electron generation, transport, and heating of dense matter. This work underpins much of the fundamental physics of laser plasma interactions but is also highly relevant for alternative inertial confinement fusion schemes such as fast ignition.