Pathways to Develop a Fusion & Adjacent Energy Research Ecosystem at theHoward University Plasma Physics Laboratory (HUPL)

HUPL is a nexus for problem-posed hands-on undergraduate, graduate, postdoctoral, and researcher (early career to emeritus) exploratory pedagogy. Focus is on MHD physics and applications that positively impact our communities. HUPL experiments are centered on exploring solutions to today’s and tomorrow’s scientific challenges. in four research areas: Cosmochemistry - origins and evolution of our Solar System; Space plasma and weather; Low temperature and density plasma water treatment investigations; and our primary focus - Fusion relevant diagnostics, plasma stability obstacles and impacts[JR1] at high temp and density, and plasma propulsion diagnostic development - all on the Helicon plasma Experiment (HPX). HPX is an ideal diagnostics development testbed that yields real-time, simultaneous measurements of multiple-spatial-point electron plasma temp and density that can be measured at a high degree of accuracy with our 2.5 J YAG laser Thomson Scattering system that utilizes a high-performance volume-phase-holographic grating spectrometer, charge coupled device camera, and a General Atomics polychromator optimized for measurements of 5 eV < Te < 2000 eV over a 109-degree scattering angle. Community/Private/Public impacts from HPX research is designed to further the realization of powerplant to grid to people, sustainable, clean, and on-demand energy. Progress on HUPL research projects and how we elevate our innovation through a people-centered workforce will be presented.