North Carolina State University
The College of Engineering at North Carolina State University is committed to providing a premier educational experience for students and fostering a world-class environment for faculty. We aim to prepare our community to address the engineering and computer science challenges and opportunities of the 21st century. Our vision is to be global leaders in discovery, learning, and innovation across the diverse and dynamic fields of engineering and computer science. We expect our faculty and students to turn ideas into reality, develop solutions to societal needs, and contribute to the economic development and quality of life for the citizens of North Carolina, our nation, and humankind.
The College of Engineering collaborates with DIII-D through the Department of Nuclear Engineering, the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, and the Center for Additive Manufacturing and Logistics. Supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, a research project focuses on developing radio frequency-driven, inductively coupled plasma positive ion sources to enhance the DIII-D neutral beam heating system. This effort involves 3 graduate students, 2 postdoctoral researchers, and 3 faculty members based in North Carolina. Additionally, through a non-proprietary user agreement, NC State College of Engineering faculty work with the DIII-D FPP material thrust to develop innovative approaches for manufacturing first-wall materials for fusion reactors, utilizing additive manufacturing and cold spray technologies.
Leads in alphabetical order:
Prof. Tim Horn
Dr. Horn is an assistant professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and manager of advanced manufacturing research in the Center for Additive Manufacturing (CAMAL). His research interests are in advanced manufacturing and 3D-printing with an emphasis on process monitoring and characterization.
Prof. Elizabeth Kautz
Dr. Kautz is an Assistant Professor of Nuclear Engineering and studies materials detection and sensing methods, and materials behavior in extreme environments relevant to nuclear energy and defense applications.
Prof. Florian Laggner
Dr. Laggner is an Assistant Professor of Nuclear Engineering and works on high–temperature plasmas in magnetic confinement fusion devices. He is an expert in plasma edge physics and plasma diagnostics. His research focuses on developing and characterizing technological solutions for auxiliary systems such as ion sources for neutral beam heating systems.
Prof. Amanda Lietz
Dr. Lietz is an Assistant Professor of Nuclear Engineering and works on computational modeling of low–temperature plasmas for a wide variety of applications, including fusion. Computational modeling can be used to explain the underlying physics and chemistry behind behaviors observed in plasma sources and informs the design and optimization of these plasma sources for each application.
Prof. Steve Shannon
Dr. Steve Shannon is a Professor of Nuclear Engineering and works in industrial applications of plasma discharges. Plasmas are currently used for everything from decorative enhancement of bathroom fixtures to fabrication of the next generation of micro- and nano-scale devices. His research focuses on enhancing current plasma applications being used and developed today and developing new plasma applications for next–generation material and device fabrication.