Understanding the complexities of plasma to advance the development of fusion — a clean and abundant energy source — has been a focus of the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) for more than 70 years.

Now, the Lab is applying its expertise in low-temperature plasmas to advance low-carbon-emission technologies for a sustainable and competitive U.S. manufacturing industry. Described by PPPL researchers as “electromanufacturing,” this emerging field of research investigates ways to replace the energy provided by fossil fuels with clean electricity, including using plasmas in several industrial processes.

“The Lab has deep expertise in diagnosing and understanding plasmas to support the development of electrified sustainable manufacturing processes. By applying our expertise in diagnostics, control, and simulation and modeling, we can help to sustainably de-fossilize multiple industries," said Emily Carter, the Senior Strategic Adviser and Associate Laboratory Director for Applied Materials and Sustainability Sciences at PPPL.

To this end, the Lab will engage in new partnerships and projects supported by the DOE to advance sustainability science basic research and bring discoveries to deployment.

Carter is also the Gerhard R. Andlinger '52 Professor in Energy and the Environment and professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at Princeton University.