The DOE SC program in Fusion Energy Sciences (FES) hereby announces its interest in receiving new or renewal single-investigator or small-group research applications from universities and non-profit organizations to carry out frontier-level research in basic plasma science and engineering. The FES Discovery Plasma Science: Plasma Science and Technology–General Plasma Science (GPS) program supports research at the frontiers of basic and low temperature plasma science. This includes: (i) dynamical processes in laboratory, space, and astrophysical plasma, such as magnetic reconnection, plasma dynamo, shocks, turbulence cascade, structures, waves, flows and their interactions; (ii) behavior of dusty plasma, non-neutral, single-component matter or antimatter plasma, and ultra-cold neutral plasma; and (iii) plasma chemistry and processes in low temperature plasma, interfacial plasma, and interaction of plasma with materials and/or biomaterials. Through the support of this research, the FES GPS Program plays a key role in training the next generation of plasma scientists and engineers.
Description of Topical Areas
The specific areas of interest for this FOA are the following:
1. Dynamical Processes in Plasma
Specific areas of interest include but are not limited to understanding: (1) the onset of magnetic reconnection and trigger mechanisms for explosive instabilities in nature (solar flares, geomagnetic storms) and in the laboratory; (2) plasma dynamo processes by which magnetic fields are generated in the laboratory and nature; (3) mechanisms by which energy is transferred between fields, flows, and particles; and (4) how energy is partitioned in various forms (thermal, magnetic, turbulent).
Integrated research projects, involving detailed laboratory experiments or data, advanced modeling or simulation, and observation data from one or more advanced spacecraft or satellite missions including the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Magnetospheric Multiscale Mission (MMS), Parker Solar Probe, are encouraged.
2. Nonneutral, Ultracold Neutral, and Dusty Plasma Physics
Specific areas of interest include but are not limited to understanding: (1) trapped antimatter plasmas to probe the symmetries of nature and recreate the conditions of exotic astrophysical plasmas; (2) how coherent structures are created through the electrical self-fields of the plasma and its interactions with waves; and (3) strongly coupled dusty plasmas and/or other properties of dust particles in space or fusion-relevant plasmas.
Integrated research projects, combining precision measurements, theory and modeling, and/or providing a test for theoretical models, are encouraged.
3. Low Temperature Plasma Processes
Specific areas of interest include but are not limited to: (1) innovative, predictive control and manipulation of plasma kinetics and energy distribution functions; (2) understanding underlying mechanisms and plasma interactions with liquid, pathogens, and biomaterials through activated surface processes and chemical reactions; and (3) the predictive understanding of self-organization or pattern formation in plasmas interacting with surfaces.
Integrated research projects, combining detailed laboratory experiments or data, theory, and advanced modeling or simulation, are encouraged.
Interested applicants should upload the following documents in sequence in one PDF file (File name: Last name_DE-FOA-0003254_2024) no later than 4:00 p.m. on the internal submission deadline:
1. Cover Page (1 page, pdf):
- Descriptive title of proposed activity
- PI name, departmental affiliations(s) and contact information
- Co-PI's names and departmental affiliation(s)
- Names of other key personnel
- Participating institution(s)
- Number and title of this funding opportunity
- The research area(s), specified in Section I, primarily addressed by the proposed work.
2. Project Description (no more than four pages, pdf) Corresponding to to pre-application requirements described in section IV.B.2 of the FOA. Figures and references can be included additional pages.
The first page of the pre-application must specify at least one scientific hypothesis whose investigation motivates the proposed work, using no more than 100 words, in a box with a black border. For any hypothesis that is not itself innovative, the pre-application must describe at least one innovative insight into how the hypothesis can be investigated that may be exploited by the planned research.
This information must be followed by a clear and concise description of the objectives and technical approach of the proposed research. The pre-application should contain sufficient technical information on one or more research topics identified on this FOA, including a short description with references on how the proposed work addresses frontier-level research in basic plasma science and engineering, and a brief description of the proposed team, including students, postdocs, or individuals from diverse backgrounds, such as individuals historically underrepresented in the research community.
4. 3-page CV's of Investigators
Formatting Guidelines:
Font/size: no smaller than 11-point
Document margins: 1.0” (top, bottom, left and right)
Standard paper size (8 ½” x 11)
Questions concerning the limited submissions process may be submitted to limitedsubs@psu.edu.