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Research and technical employee Mr. Olgierd Cichorek, M.Sc., from the Laboratory of Plasma Nudge for Satellites at the IPPLM has been nominated for the title of Personality of the Year 2024 in the Science category.

The Editorial Board of "Polska Metropolia Warszawska", "Echa Dnia" and "Tygodnik Ostrołęcki" appreciated Olgierd Cichorek's contribution to the development of science and innovation, particularly distinguishing research on plasma flows in Hall-type thrusters.

How to vote?

You can vote for the IPPLM employee on the following website: https://polskanews.pl/mgr-inz-olgierd-cichorek/pk/7173591 until Thursday, 13 March 2025 until 9:00 p.m.

About the plebiscite

Personality of the Year is one of our oldest and most prestigious plebiscites, organized for years all over Poland by regional dailies and websites of the Polska Press publishing house. Its aim is to distinguish people who were involved in the life of local communities in the previous year, achieved success, helped others, and showed creativity and talent. Personality of the Year titles are awarded in five categories: Culture; Science; Social and charitable activities; Business and entrepreneurship, Politics, local government and local community.

For more information about the plebiscite please visit: www.polskanews.pl/osobowosc

Source: Polska Press

We are pleased to announce that the Minister of Industry, Ms. Marzena Czarnecka, appointed, as of 1 January 2025, Prof. Monika Kubkowska to the position of the director of the Sylwester Kaliski Institute of Plasma Physics and Laser Microfusion (IPPLM). Prof. Kubkowska replaced Prof. Andrzej Gałkowski, who has served in this position for 14 years.

Prof. Monika Kubkowska has been associated with the IPPLM since 2007. For over 9 years, she headed the Department of Nuclear Fusion and Plasma Spectroscopy, and since 2019, she has been the head of the Scientific and Industrial Centre for New Energy Technologies (CeNTE). In October 2020, she was appointed deputy director for scientific affairs at the IPPLM.

She has been distinguished many times for her scientific achievements and activities for the development of the economy, including: the Bronze Cross of Merit in 2016 and the IPPLM 1st degree award in 2019 for outstanding scientific achievements.

Prof. Monika Kubkowska is a graduate of the Faculty of Physics at the University of Warsaw. She obtained her doctorate in physical sciences in 2007 at the University of Warsaw, and in 2020, the NCBJ Scientific Council awarded her the degree of habilitated doctor in physical sciences.

Link to the announcement of the result of the competition for the position of the director of the Sylwester Kaliski Institute of Plasma Physics and Laser Microfusion in Warsaw: https://www.gov.pl

Dr. Christian Perez von Thun of the Department of the Thermonuclear Plasma Research at the Institute of Plasma Physics and Laser Microfusion has become a member of the International Tokamak Physics Activity (ITPA) group in the area of Pedestal & Edge Physics. This decision was announced on 12 December 2024 at the EUROfusion governing board meeting. Christian Perez von Thun will be a member of the group from January 2025 till December 2030.

ITPA is an international fusion research organisation. Its activities focus on experimental tokamak magnetic confinement plasma fusion devices. The organisation supports projects such as ITER and other fusion programmes by providing key data for the design and optimisation of future fusion reactors. ITPA's structure includes a Coordinating Committee and thematic groups that bring together scientists from different countries to provide a platform for international collaboration.

The Pedestal & Edge Physics group, joined by Dr. Perez von Thun, studies the processes occurring at the edges of the plasma in fusion reactors - where the hot interior of the plasma meets its cooler outer layer. This research is crucial to maintaining plasma stability, controlling plasma edge phenomena such as ELM (Edge Localized Mode) modifications, and ensuring efficient heat and particle removal. Working with researchers from around the world, the group is developing solutions that will allow experimental ITER reactor under construction in the south of France to operate safely and efficiently, bringing us closer to obtaining clean and limitless energy from nuclear fusion.

Przemysław Tchórz from the Department of Laser Plasma Physics and Applications at the Institute of Plasma Physics and Laser Microfusion was appointed as part of the competition as co-Leader of the WG2 working group: Experiments: Proton boron and Towards the practical realization of compact laser-driven α-particle sources in the international COST Action PROBONO project - "Proton Boron Nuclear Fusion: From Energy Production To Medical Applications (ProBoNo)".

Cooperation and development of experimental research

WG2: Experiments focuses on experimental research on proton-boron (pB) fusion, a nuclear fusion process in which a proton (hydrogen nucleus) reacts with a boron nucleus, leading to the formation of alpha particles (helium nuclei) and the release of large amounts of energy. PB fusion is considered as an interesting alternative to the currently most frequently considered deuterium-tritium (DT) fusion scenario since it does not generate neutrons and, therefore, does not lead to the generation of radioactive waste. Due to the high plasma temperatures required to induce this reaction, pB fusion is difficult to achieve in tokamak devices that rely on magnetic confinement of the plasma. In the case of a direct collision of these two particles, the proton energy requirements are, in turn, easily achievable during the laser ion acceleration process, which makes it an area of ​​intensive scientific research using high-power laser systems.

Przemysław Tchórz, as co-Leader, will support the implementation of the main goals of the group, such as the coordination of experiments conducted in international laser laboratories, including the preparation and implementation of the first project as Principal Investigator titled "Hybrid laser-induced proton-boron fusion using nanosecond laser system: benchmark of an approach employing protons produced during thermonuclear D(d,p)T reaction", using the L4n laser system at the ELI Beamlines facility (Czech Republic) in spring 2025. Researchers from ten leading European institutions currently dealing with proton-boron fusion are involved in this experiment, which will consolidate interdisciplinary cooperation between these institutions and significantly intensify progress in the work carried out in this field and in building the research network centered around COST Action PROBONO.

COST Action PROBONO – proton-boron fusion research network

COST Action PROBONO is an initiative aimed at understanding pB fusion at an experimental and theoretical level. This project enables the exchange of knowledge between research centres, establishing new cooperation and strengthening the existing one between groups with the highest competences in this topic, as well as participation in experimental campaigns, organization of trainings, conferences and summer schools for young researchers. The WG2 group plays a key role in implementing experimental research programs and building a scientific community focused on the topic of pB fusion.

A new role in an international project

Przemysław Tchórz's new role in the CORE Group of the PROBONO project is recognition of his experience and contribution to laser fusion research. Congratulations on your new position and we wish you success in your research.

Photo 1 - ELI Beamlines (Dolní Břežany, Czech Republic), experimental chamber in the E3 experimental hall next to the L4n laser system.
Photo 2 - Lecture by Przemysław Tchórz during the 4^th International Workshop on Proton-Boron Fusion, 30/09 - 3/10/2024, Frascati, Italy.
Photo 3 - ELI Beamlines (Dolní Břežany, Czech Republic), ELIMED research system at the L3 laser system.

Photos: IPPLM

The Institute of Plasma Physics and Laser Microfusion (IPPLM) has been involved in helping the charges of the Rehabilitation, Education and Care Center TPD "Helenów” in Warsaw for years. In 2024, the Institute's support was unique thanks to a combination of traditional initiatives with new activities for children and youth from the Centre.

On 16 December, a group of students and their caretakers visited the IPPLM at the invitation of the Employees’ Council. The researchers prepared fascinating scientific shows for them, which introduced the secrets of nuclear fusion and the applications of lasers. Children could see, among others:

• an impressive glow discharge, presenting the basic properties of plasma,
• operation of the fusor – a device for electrostatic plasma retention,
• experiments with the application of lasers in which students actively participated.

After the shows, there was a Christmas fair of ornaments and decorations made by the children from "Helenów".

From 2 to 11 December, the Institute collected funds. Donations could be made both on site and online. The funds raised allowed for the purchase of Christmas gifts, including clothes, gift cards, hygiene products and sweets. On 19 December, the Employees’ Council handed them over to the children. The joint involvement of the IPPLM employees brought a lot of joy and smiles to the Centre’s charges.

Photo: IPPLM