The European
Research Council (ERC) has awarded a Consolidator grant worth SEK 20 million to
plasma physicist, Tünde Fülöp.
Tünde Fülöp has a burning interest in plasmas – hot ionized gases – also called
the fourth state of matter.
– Plasma
physics is a fascinating subfield of physics which brings together
electromagnetics, fluid dynamics, wave-particle interaction, relativistic effects,
and subatomic physics. My research focus is magnetic fusion and laser-plasma
accelerators.
– The ERC project is about understanding particle acceleration in plasmas, the
radiation emitted by the fast particles and how they affect the rest of the
plasma. The underlying physics is fascinating. It includes instabilities, shock
waves, avalanches, and the physics of the microscale affects the macroscopic
behaviour and vice versa, making these processes challenging to
model. Applications range from cancer
therapy and lightning initiation, to fusion devices for large-scale energy
production.
This is the second time the ERC Consolidator Grants are awarded. The grants are
aimed at strengthening established scientists who have recently started their
own research groups in their leadership roles. The scientists who have been
awarded Consolidator Grants are considered to have the potential to be world leaders
in their fields.
Contact
Prof. Tünde Fülöp, Department of Applied Physics, Chalmers
Photo: Henrik Sandsjö