For our last class we took a trip to the Plasma Fusion Center at MIT. After taking the train and walking in the rain for a while, we found ourselves at the center, which did not look like what I had imagined. After entering the building we were taken into a room where a student working on his master’s degree in the program gave us a presentation on the basic information of plasma fusion research, energy, and the device. Some of the topics discussed, such as the major source of energy (85% fossil fuel combustion) and the issues involved (national security, greenhouse gas emissions, and shortages), were topics we already discussed in class and in the reading. Also known and discussed were the advantages and disadvantages of plasma fusion. Advantages included: no nuclear waste; no meltdowns; independent of geography; efficient land use; no greenhouse gases; and inexhaustible fuel supply. Disadvantages were fewer, but included: radioactive structural materials; cost; and the fact that it does not work currently. Other topics discussed, but were unknown involved the more complicated work in the plasma fusion center, physics, temperatures, and tokamaks. Although it was somewhat difficult to follow and at times seemed like in a different language, the presenter made the topics interesting and did a great job explaining any complicated areas.

The next part of our trip involved actually going to the plasma fusion lab and seeing the machines used in the experiments. This part was also interesting because we were able to see the the machine in which the presentation was based and understand more of what the research personnel use in their work. The machine was very large and loud and again did not look like what I expected.

Overall I think the trip was really interesting and important to take because it gave the class the ability to actually see a portion of the topics we are studying in class and use the information received to make connections.