| 1. |
- Martin, P., et al.
(author)
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Overview of the RFX fusion science program
- 2011
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In: Nuclear Fusion. - : IOP Publishing. - 0029-5515 .- 1741-4326. ; 51:9, s. 094023-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This paper summarizes the main achievements of the RFX fusion science program in the period between the 2008 and 2010 IAEA Fusion Energy Conferences. RFX-mod is the largest reversed field pinch in the world, equipped with a system of 192 coils for active control of MHD stability. The discovery and understanding of helical states with electron internal transport barriers and core electron temperature >1.5 keV significantly advances the perspectives of the configuration. Optimized experiments with plasma current up to 1.8 MA have been realized, confirming positive scaling. The first evidence of edge transport barriers is presented. Progress has been made also in the control of first-wall properties and of density profiles, with initial first-wall lithization experiments. Micro-turbulence mechanisms such as ion temperature gradient and micro-tearing are discussed in the framework of understanding gradient-driven transport in low magnetic chaos helical regimes. Both tearing mode and resistive wall mode active control have been optimized and experimental data have been used to benchmark numerical codes. The RFX programme also provides important results for the fusion community and in particular for tokamaks and stellarators on feedback control of MHD stability and on three-dimensional physics. On the latter topic, the result of the application of stellarator codes to describe three-dimensional reversed field pinch physics will be presented.
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| 2. |
- Martin, P., et al.
(author)
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Overview of the RFX-mod fusion science programme
- 2013
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In: Nuclear Fusion. - : IOP Publishing. - 0029-5515 .- 1741-4326. ; 53:10, s. 104018-
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This paper reports the highlights of the RFX-mod fusion science programme since the last 2010 IAEA Fusion Energy Conference. The RFX-mod fusion science programme focused on two main goals: exploring the fusion potential of the reversed field pinch (RFP) magnetic configuration and contributing to the solution of key science and technology problems in the roadmap to ITER. Active control of several plasma parameters has been a key tool in this endeavour. New upgrades on the system for active control of magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) stability are underway and will be presented in this paper. Unique among the existing fusion devices, RFX-mod has been operated both as an RFP and as a tokamak. The latter operation has allowed the exploration of edge safety factor q edge < 2 with active control of MHD stability and studies concerning basic energy and flow transport mechanisms. Strong interaction has continued with the stellarator community in particular on the physics of helical states and on three-dimensional codes.
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| 3. |
- Battiston, S., et al.
(author)
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Synthesis and Characterization of Al-Doped Mg2Si Thermoelectric Materials
- 2013
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In: Journal of Electronic Materials. - New York : Springer. - 0361-5235 .- 1543-186X. ; 42:7, s. 1956-1959
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Magnesium silicide (Mg2Si)-based alloys are promising candidates for thermoelectric (TE) energy conversion for the middle to high range of temperature. These materials are very attractive for TE research because of the abundance of their constituent elements in the Earth's crust. Mg2Si could replace lead-based TE materials, due to its low cost, nontoxicity, and low density. In this work, the role of aluminum doping (Mg2Si:Al = 1:x for x = 0.005, 0.01, 0.02, and 0.04 molar ratio) in dense Mg2Si materials was investigated. The synthesis process was performed by planetary milling under inert atmosphere starting from commercial Mg2Si pieces and Al powder. After ball milling, the samples were sintered by means of spark plasma sintering to density > 95%. The morphology, composition, and crystal structure of the samples were characterized by field-emission scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive spectroscopy, and x-ray diffraction analyses. Moreover, Seebeck coefficient analyses, as well as electrical and thermal conductivity measurements were performed for all samples up to 600A degrees C. The resultant estimated ZT values are comparable to those reported in the literature for these materials. In particular, the maximum ZT achieved was 0.50 for the x = 0.01 Al-doped sample at 600A degrees C.
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| 4. |
- Famengo, A., et al.
(author)
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Phase Content Influence on Thermoelectric Properties of Manganese Silicide-Based Materials for Middle-High Temperatures
- 2013
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In: Journal of Electronic Materials. - New York : Springer. - 0361-5235 .- 1543-186X. ; 42:7, s. 2020-2024
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The higher manganese silicides (HMS), represented by MnSi (x) (x = 1.71 to 1.75), are promising p-type leg candidates for thermoelectric energy harvesting systems in the middle-high temperature range. They are very attractive as they could replace lead-based compounds due to their nontoxicity, low-cost starting materials, and high thermal and chemical stability. Dense pellets were obtained through direct reaction between Mn and Si powders during the spark plasma sintering process. The tetragonal HMS and cubic MnSi phase amounts and the functional properties of the material such as the Seebeck coefficient and electrical and thermal conductivity were evaluated as a function of the SPS processing conditions. The morphology, composition, and crystal structure of the samples were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, and x-ray diffraction analyses, respectively. Differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis were performed to evaluate the thermal stability of the final sintered material. A ZT value of 0.34 was obtained at 600A degrees C for the sample sintered at 900A degrees C and 90 MPa with 5 min holding time.
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| 5. |
- Fiameni, S., et al.
(author)
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Introduction of Metal Oxides into Mg2Si Thermoelectric Materials by Spark Plasma Sintering
- 2013
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In: Journal of Electronic Materials. - New York : Springer. - 0361-5235 .- 1543-186X. ; 42:7, s. 2062-2066
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Oxide incorporation into thermoelectric Mg2Si-based materials was performed starting from commercial Mg2Si and commercial metal oxides by applying ball milling and spark plasma sintering (SPS) processing. The SPS conditions, such as sintering temperature, pressure, and holding time, were optimized with the aim of obtaining both full densification and oxide incorporation. Thermoelectric characterizations, such as Seebeck coefficient and electrical and thermal conductivity, were carried out and related to the pellet compositions. The morphology, composition, and crystallographic structure of the samples were characterized by field-emission scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive spectrometry, and x-ray diffraction analyses, respectively.
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