VOL. 6, NO. 1 • WINTER/SPRING 2002

Continued on page 2

PPPL Opens Pilot Topical Computing Facility

PPPL Chief Scientist Bill Tang (far right) cuts the ribbon on the Pilot Topical Computing Facility. With Tang, from left, are Oak Ridge

National Laboratory’s Lee Berry, PPPL’s DarenWah, Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory’s Brian Gross, PPPL’s Steve Jardin, PPPL

Director Rob Goldston, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory’s Bill Nevins, and PPPL’s Doug McCune, Ernie Valeo, and Steve Davis.

Officials and friends at the U.S. Department of

Energy’s Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory

(PPPL) cut the ribbon on the Fusion Energy Science

(FES) Pilot Topical Computing Facility (TCF) in October. This facility is part of the new PPPL Fusion Computational Center (FCC), a data analysis and computational

physics center that also includes the PPPL Petrel Cluster.

Pilot Topical Computing Facility

The goal of the pilot is to determine the best configuration for a full TCF for the Fusion Energy Science

community. A TCF will support computing throughout

the fusion community, offering a unique capability that

joins advanced computing and modeling with theory and

experiment to improve advancements in the field of

fusion. “Predicting the properties of energy producing

fusion plasma systems is a formidable challenge. It can

only be met with advanced scientific computing in tandem with theory and experiment,” said PPPL Chief Scientist Bill Tang, Principal Investigator for the project.

Tang explained that future research requires the acceler-
The PPPL NEWS is issued by the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, a research facility supported by

the United States Department of Energy and managed by Princeton University. Correspondence and

requests to reprint material should be directed to: Information Services, Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, P.O. Box 451, Princeton, NJ 08543; telephone 609-243-2750; fax 609-243-2751; e-mail pppl_info@pppl.gov

.

PPPL NEWS

Information Services Head: Anthony R. DeMeo

Editor/Writer: Patti Wieser

Photographer: Elle Starkman

Layout and Graphics: Gregory J. Czechowicz

and Patti Wieser

Continued from page 1

ated development of computational tools and techniques

for the timely development of more realistic predictive

models. When properly cross validated against experiments, the resultant codes would allow FES simulations

of increasingly complex phenomena with greater fidelity.

In support of this mission, the FES researchers actively participate in the DOE Office of Science’s Scientific Discovery through Advanced Computing (SciDAC)

program. A component of the SciDAC strategy involves

establishing TCFs to concentrate on specific sets of

scientific applications in which the computer system in

the topical facility is optimized for those applications.

The pilot TCF focuses on national FES collaborations

involving the SciDAC centers for Plasma Microturbulence,

Extended Magnetohydrodynamics, and the Fusion

Collaboratory. In addition, the facility includes the strong

involvement of Princeton University, which provided

matching funds, and NOAA’s Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory in “grid computing” explorations.

Grid computing is a distributed computing infrastructure

for advanced science and engineering applications involving large-scale resource sharing. This includes not

only file exchange, but direct common access to computers, software, data, and other resources. The Department

of Energy provided $250,000 and the PPPL Director

provided $60,000 for the TCF. The University and its

newly established Princeton Institute for Computational

Science and Engineering contributed $200,000 for the

grid computing explorations.

The PPPL pilot investigates how a TCF can best

enable new scientific research. Complementary to its

involvement in “capability computing” activities on the

most powerful available supercomputing platforms at

major centers (e.g., at the National Energy Research

Scientific Computing Center and at Oak Ridge National

Laboratory), the pilot TCF is addressing important “capacity computing” issues by examining the cost-effective

utilization of commodity clusters dedicated to key FES

applications. “Knowledge gained through this pilot project

about capability as well as capacity computing issues can

be usefully applied toward planning a full Fusion Energy

Science TCF,” noted Tang.

A large space at PPPL was renovated last summer to

accommodate the advanced computing facility. The renovation included the removal of under-floor cables and the

installation of new raised flooring, reconditioning and

installation of power, the reconditioning of heating, ventilating and air conditioning equipment, and the installation of racks to house the computing equipment. “Everything was ripped out and cable trays were installed for

power and signals, along with a raised floor,” said Steve

Davis, Project Engineer. He said 64 Advanced Micro

Devices (AMD) dual-processors, each with a gigabyte of

memory, were installed to support the pilot TCF.

Petrel Cluster

In addition, 76 new computers from Datel Systems —

AMD dual processors — were added to the Petrel Cluster,

which is housed partially in the FCC. Initially, the Petrel

Cluster was a prototype system with 34 Intel systems and

one dual AMD system that provided PPPL researchers

with a local facility for code development and parallel

computing resources. The following year, PPPL expanded

this system and implemented the pilot TCF. The Petrel

Cluster now consists of the 35 original dual processor

systems plus the 76 new AMD dual processors.

Over the past few years, PPPL has built up extensive

experience in the implementation and utilization of commodity computing clusters. These are basically modest

super-computers built from components that can be purchased “off the shelf.” This type of computing, which

links desktop machines to support advanced scientific

computing, has clearly helped accelerate research progress.

“With the new FCC, we installed rack-mountable units

from Datel Systems, but from a performance point of

view, they are no different than the computer system that

any home user might buy,” said Davis. ●

Computing

PPPL NEWS • Winter/Spring 2003 Page 2
PPPL Successfully Completes Removal

of the Tokamak Fusion Test Reactor

The Tokamak Fusion Test Reactor (TFTR) Decommissioning and Decontamination Project has been successfully and safely completed on

schedule and under budget. The project included approximately 145 person-years of fieldwork. A new and innovative technology, Diamond

Wire Cutting, was developed and successfully used for the most challenging phase of the project: segmenting the TFTR vacuum vessel.

Above is the former TFTR test cell. At upper left in the test cell is Project Manager Erik Perry.

PPPL Director Chairs New U.S. Planning Effort

PPPL Director Rob Goldston is the chair of a newly established 18-person panel “to develop a plan with the end

goal of the start of operation of a demonstration [fusion] power plant in approximately 35 years.” The DOE Fusion

Energy Science Advisory Committee created the panel in response to a request from DOE Office of Science Director

Ray Orbach. The panel began meeting in October and will present a final report in March. ●

Page 3 PPPL NEWS • Winter/Spring 2003
PPPL Celebrates 50 Years

At left, Robert Card, DOE Under Secretary for Energy, Science and Environment, tours the National Spherical Torus Experiment (NSTX)

while attending the 50th anniversary celebration at PPPL on June 6. From left are PPPL Deputy Director Rich Hawryluk, NSTX Project

Director Masa Ono, Card, Secretary of Energy Advisory Board Executive Director Craig Reed, DOE Office of Science Principal Deputy

Director James Decker, and PPPL Director Rob Goldston. In the middle, N. Anne Davies, DOE Associate Director of Science for Fusion

Energy Sciences, presents closing remarks. At right is the audience in the MBG Auditorium during one of the 50th talks.

I

n June, the Laboratory commemorated its scientific

achievements during the past five decades by holding

a three-day symposium, “A Celebration of High-temperature Plasma Physics.” More than 200 PPPL staff

members and others attended the event, which featured

technical talks about magnetic fusion, space and astrophysical plasmas, and inertial fusion plasma science, as

well as a reception, tour, and banquet.

“The performance of the fusion community and this

Laboratory has been outstanding. I really appreciate the

value of the science done here,” said Robert Card, Department of Energy (DOE) Under Secretary for Energy,

Science and Environment. Card, who described fusion as

“the holy grail of clean energy,” was among the featured

speakers from PPPL, the DOE, and other institutions.

Card also presented DOE Mentoring Awards to PPPL

researchers Charles Gentile, Ronald Hatcher, and Hantao

Ji. The citations recognized each recipient for his “dedication as a mentor, to share knowledge and to inspire and

instill confidence in the next generation of scientists and

engineers by setting high expectations, seeking creative

solutions, and immersing inquisitive minds in the world

of science.”

Raymond Orbach, Director of the DOE’s Office of

Science, gave an encouraging speech at the symposium

banquet about the future of fusion energy science research, and N. Anne Davies, of the DOE’s Office of

Fusion Energy Sciences, gave opening and closing remarks during the celebration. “This institution – PPPL –

has played a leading role in this research since its founding,” said Davies.

PPPL Deputy Director Rich Hawryluk discussed the

scientific progress during the past decade, while Lab

Director Rob Goldston presented a talk, “Future Directions in Fusion Plasma Science Research.”

“We have made enormous progress and we have

faced enormous challenges,” Hawryluk said about research during the past 10 years. He discussed results from

experiments on the Tokamak Fusion Test Reactor, the

capability for a high ratio of plasma pressure to magnetic

field pressure on the National Spherical Torus Experiment, and the next machine to be sited at PPPL, the

National Compact Stellarator Experiment. Hawryluk also

noted how recent scientific excitement is driven by a

“strong coupling between theory and experiments.”

Davies, closing the event, said that PPPL should have

a birthday party every year so everyone could hear about

the Lab’s accomplishments and progress. She noted how

different the fusion program is now compared to just a

decade ago. Topics now discussed in relation to plasma

science research include climate change and CO2

 concentrations, alternate concepts, and vast improvements in

modeling and computing.

Said Goldston, “We’re glad we made it to fifty and by

the time we make it to a hundred, I think we’re going to

be optimizing the details for an economy running on

fusion energy.” ●

PPPL NEWS • Winter/Spring 2003 Page 4
★ Awards ★ Awards ★ Awards ★ Awards ★ Awards ★

University of Wisconsin Honors Meade

PPPL Advanced Reactor Concepts Head Dale Meade

(at left) received the Distinguished Alumni Fellow

Award from the University of Wisconsin on May 10 in

Madison. The university’s Department of Physics established the award to recognize a graduate who has had an

outstanding and meritorious career, as well as in appreciation of exceptional service to the Department. At right is

University of Wisconsin Department of Physics Chair

Don Reeder. ●

Goldston Named Director of the Year

PPPL Director Rob

Goldston is a recipient of

the 2002 Laboratory Director

of the Year Award from the

Federal Laboratory Consortium (FLC). Goldston (at right)

was among three recipients

honored for their contributions

to the overall enhancement of

technology transfer and the

support of the FLC and its activities. PPPL Deputy Director Rich Hawryluk accepted

the award on behalf of Goldston during the FLC’s national meeting held in May in Little Rock, Ark. ●

PPPL Honored for Science Bowl Work

PPPL recently garnered a plaque for 10 years of

continuous involvement in the National Science

Bowl®. DOE Under Secretary Robert Card presented the

plaque to PPPL Science Bowl Coordinator James Morgan (above) during the National Science Bowl®. The

citation recognized the Lab’s “support, dedication, and

participation in the National Science Bowl for ten consecutive years.” ●

PPPL Lauded for Safety Efforts

I

n recognition of its safety performance in 2001, PPPL

recently received two New Jersey Governor’s Occupational Safety & Health awards. The honors include a

Recognition Award for outstanding performance and a

Citation of Merit for the National Spherical Torus Experiment (NSTX) for working through the year without a losttime injury or illness. From left are PPPL Environment,

Safety & Health Head Jerry Levine, NSTX Project Head

Masayuki Ono, PPPL Engineering and Technical Infrastructure Head Mike Williams, and NSTX Program Head

Martin Peng, with the awards. ●

Page 5 PPPL NEWS • Winter/Spring 2003
PPPL Inventors Honored at Annual Dinner

I

n May, forty-four inventors were honored during the twentieth annual Patent Awareness Program Recognition

Dinner. The event recognized inventors who received patents, applied for patents, and disclosed inventions during

Fiscal Year 2001. Those honored are from the Research, Engineering, and Technical staff of PPPL, as well as from

other institutions that work in collaboration with the Lab. Those who attended the dinner are, from left (front row):

Nikolai Gorelenkov, Schweickhard E. von Goeler, Manfred L. Bitter, James Gorman, Nathaniel Fisch, Keith Rule,

Lane Roquemore, Geoff Gettelfinger, Phil Efthimion, and Kenneth Hill; (back row), John Desandro, Lewis Meixler,

Rich Hawryluk, John Parker, Stephen Jardin, Charles Gentile, Robert Parsells, John Schmidt, Daniel Clark, Mike

Kalish, Ben LeBlanc, Andy Carpe, Leonid Zakharov, and Erik Perry. ●

PPPL’s Science Education Lab Opens Its Doors

PPPL Science Education Program Lead Scientist Andrew Post-Zwicker (left) works with

students at the new Science Ed Lab.

I

n 2002, PPPL opened its new Plasma

Science Education Laboratory. This

innovative 3,600-square-foot classroom-laboratory is a fusion of physics

research and educational opportunities

for students and teachers alike. Large

enough to handle a class of 25 or more

students, it includes 12 individually

powered lab benches that can be moved

into a variety of configurations, depending upon the needs of a particular

program. There are also small rooms

for advanced projects, including small

plasma physics experiments. The entire facility has a high-speed wireless

connection to the Internet and a variety

of desktop and laptop computers available. During the summer, the lab was

the site of student and teacher workshops, as well as individual projects. ●

PPPL NEWS • Winter/Spring 2003 Page 6
Female Students Take in a Day of Science

Twenty-one female students participating in Rutgers

University’s Douglass Science Institute came to

PPPL for a day of science during the summer. The young

women toured the National Spherical Torus Experiment

and learned about PPPL’s environmental efforts. The

visitors also had an opportunity to hear about careers at

PPPL from various members of the staff. In addition,

students participated in hands-on physics activities in the

new Science Education Laboratory. The Douglass Science Institute offers pre-college women, who are interested in science and engineering, a chance to explore

scientific research in a collegiate setting and learn the

skills needed to be successful female scientists. The PPPL

visit was coordinated by the Lab’s Science Education

Program staff. ●

PPPL’s Virginia Finley (left) gives a presentation about the Lab’s

environmental efforts to a group from the Rutgers University

Douglass Science Institute.

New Rocket Scientists

About a dozen Trenton-area students came to PPPL

for two weeks during the summer to learn about

energy and future energy sources. As participants in the

second annual Plasma Academy, the ninth through twelfth

graders studied the energy of motion and flight by designing, building, and testing water rockets, in addition to

other activities. The academy was coordinated through

the Mercer County Community College Upward Bound

Program in partnership with PPPL. Above, academy

participants test their water rockets. ●

Communiversity 2002

PPPL provided an exhibit at Communiversity Day,

the annual town-gown festival in Princeton last

spring. More than 1,000 individuals stopped by to learn

more about fusion. Above, PPPL physicists Robert Budny

(far left) and Hutch Neilson field questions. ●

Photo by Tony DeMeo

The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) National Laboratories house world-class facilities where more than 30,000

scientists and engineers perform cutting-edge research spanning DOE’s science, energy, national security, and environmental quality missions. Interested in the latest achievements of the National Laboratories? Then visit the DOE

Pulse at: http://www.ornl.gov/news/pulse/.

Page 7 PPPL NEWS • Winter/Spring 2003
PPPL Holds Second

Annual Safety Forum

I

n October, PPPL convened its

2nd Annual “Safety Forum,”

which was designed to engage

PPPL staff in the review, discussion, and improvement of the Lab’s

health and safety program. The

forum was a special opportunity to

collectively consider ways to improve safety and reduce the risks

of injury while working at PPPL.

The forum included presentations

by PPPL Director Rob Goldston, PPPL Deputy Director

Rich Hawryluk, and ES&H and Infrastructure Support

Head Jack Anderson (above, right), and a welcome by

Michael Roberts, of the DOE’s Office of Fusion Energy

Sciences. In addition, work group sessions provided an

opportunity for staff to focus on specific topics, such as

hazard analysis, training, and communication. ●

Firefighters Conduct Fire Prevention Demos

PPPL’s Site Protection staff showed off their finest

gear and gave demonstrations at the Lab during Fire

Prevention Week, celebrated the second week of October. With the theme, “Team UP for Fire Safety,” the

firefighters encouraged employees to recognize the role

they play in keeping their homes — and workplace —

fire-safe. The Lab’s firefighters offered fire extinguisher

training in the Cafeteria Courtyard, as well as distributed

handouts about fire safety and exhibited fire fighting

clothing and equipment.

Displays included photos of hazards, which employees were invited to identify. Equipment on display featured a self-contained breathing apparatus used by

firefighters when entering burning buildings and a thermal imaging camera that identifies heat. “Being able to

find hot areas in a smoke-filled building or room helps

firefighters find victims more easily and quickly, often

saving lives,” said Captain Dave Neuman of the special

camera. Neuman organized the Fire Prevention Week

activities for staff. ●

At top right, PPPL Site Protection staff members Michael Loh (left)

and Kevin Rhoades operate the Fire Prevention Week displays and

demonstrate (at bottom) how to operate a fire extinguisher (with

Loh at right) in the Cafeteria Courtyard.

America Recycles Day

PPPL celebrated “America Recycles Day” in October

with exhibitors at the Lab and a special program. The

program featured a skit starring PPPL’s Margaret KevinKing (left) and Thomas McGeachen (right), and John

Bennevich (middle), as well as a report about PPPL’s

performance in recycling and buying recycled-content

items in 2002. ●

PPPL NEWS • Winter/Spring 2003 Page 8