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Studium Generale: Excursion Nuclear fusion reactor Wendelstein 7-X

EXCURSION NUCLEAR FUSION REACTOR WENDELSTEIN 7-X

This summer the Studium Generale office of the University of Twente organizes – together with Arago, Newton and the TNW-EMS-group – an excursion to the experimental fusion reactor Wendelstein 7-X in Greifswald (Germany.)

Nuclear fusion is a promising technology: if scientists and engineers succeed in building a nuclear fusion reactor that produces more energy than it costs, a lot of energy issues will be solved. There are still a few bumps on the road: how to create a stable plasma of about 100 million degrees? Superconductive magnets – developed at the UT – play a crucial role in the containment of these plasmas.

The Max Planck Institute of Plasma Physics (IPP) in Greifswald houses the experimental Wendelstein 7-X fusion reactor. In this so called ‘stellerator’-model a lot of new technology is tested. During this excursion we will visit the reactor and have a look at its details and construction. Professionals of IPP will guide us and explain this fascinating machine and the physics and mechanical engineering behind it.

On our way back we visit The Bremen Drop Tower where they simulate zero-gravity.

Program:

Sunday 2 June 2019

Departure (campus UT): 9:00. Bus trip to Greifswald, where we will arrive late in the afternoon. Dinner + visit Greifswald

Monday 3 June

9:00 – 16:00 visit to Wendelstein 7-X nuclear fusion reactor. Prof. dr. Robert Wolf (Director and Scientific Member at Greifswald Branch of Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics ) will be our guide. He will explain the fusion process, WX-7 (design and construction) and the extrapolation to a power plant. There will be tours to W7-X and other facilities. To get an impression, please check: https://www.ipp.mpg.de/w7x

16:00 departure from Greifswald; bus tour to Bremen, where we will arrive at 21:00.

Tuesday 4 June

10:00 – 12:00 visit The Bremen Drop Tower where they simulate zero-gravity. Our guides are: Dr. Benny Rievers (Space Science) and Dr. Holger W. Oelze (Head of ZARM technology). For more information see: https://www.zarm.uni-bremen.de/en/drop-tower/general-information.html

12:00 – 13:00 lunch at Uni Mensa restaurant, Bremen University 

13:00 bus trip back to Enschede

16:00 Arrival at UT-campus

The whole program is English spoken.

Registration is closed. If you have any questions, please contact a.heukels@utwente.nl

Photo: Tjabele Heier