Center for Plasma Science and Technology

The Center for Plasma Science and Technology (CePaST) is one of Florida A&M University's premier research centers specializing in plasma science and technology and many associated experimental, theoretical, and computational subdisciplines.

About CePaST

Our History

In 2005, the Florida A&M Department of Physics established its presence at Innovation Park, a university-related research and development campus in Tallahassee, investing in the Center for Plasma Science and Technology (CePaST), with its scope being the study of plasmas, substances which are generally considered the ‘fourth state of matter’. The center has since become one of the premier research facilities in the state of Florida.

Mission

The strategic mission of the FAMU Center for Plasma Science and Technology (CePaST) is to produce world-class scientific and technological innovation in theoretical, experimental, and computational plasma physics and photonics. The goals of the center are to:

Provide tools to enhance the nation’s security against domestic and foreign threats

Support the development of alternative
sources of clean and sustainable energy Conduct basic
research on plasmas and advanced materials under extreme conditions

Provide a pool of highly trained men and women to broaden the nation’s scientific workforce.

These goals will be achieved through a broad spectrum of interdisciplinary research activities inclusive of research on remote sensing; fusion; carbon-based nanoscience; advanced algorithms; laser-matter interactions; and fundamental atomic and molecular quantum mechanical phenomena.

What We're All About

CePaST is home to a highly successful team of faculty, students, and researchers dedicated to new science and novel applications of theoretical, experimental, and computational plasma physics, environmental research, and chemical engineering. Major programs include:

• High Energy Density Physics
• Remote sensing research to enhance the nation’s defensive capabilities
• Fusion and plasma research
• Developing advanced materials for use in defense and technological applications
• Researching efficient computational algorithms in support of plasma and photonic physics

The center is the flagship of FAMU’s commitment to comprehensive research excellence with technological impact.
The 32,000-sqft facilities include: student study areas, a computer cluster, a laser plasma lab and space for Florida’s first fusion facility.
Faculty members, along with graduate and undergraduate student researchers are dedicated to innovative applications of theoretical, experimental and computational plasma physics.

Listed by Professor

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Charles Weatherford, Ph.D.

Vice President of Sponsored Research
Director, CePaST

charles.weatherford@famu.edu

Theoretical and computational studies in:

•    High Energy Density Physics and Chemistry
•    Simulation of laser-plasma interactions
•    Quantum control and machine learning
•    Electron molecule, photon molecule interactions
•    Bound states of molecules
•    Computation of material properties for nano-sensors
•    Energy storage and photonics
•    Quantum information

Lewis Johnson, Ph.D.

Associate Provost for Student Success and Strategic Initiatives
Assistant Director, CePaST

lewis.johnson@famu.edu

Experimental plasma physics with emphasis on:

•    High energy density laboratory plasmas
•    Soft x-ray emission from microsecond x-pinches
•    Axial jet formation characteristics with relevance to astrophysics
•    Ultra-fast plasma diagnostics

Richard Appartaim, Ph.D.

richard.appartaim@famu.edu

Experimental plasma physics with emphasis on:

Natalie Arnett, Ph.D.

natalie.arnett@famu.edu

The focus of our research group is to develop multifunctional polymer membranes for various applications. The overall goal is to design polymers with tunable properties and characterize their structure-property relationships using a variety of methods. The significance of this approach is that polymers with precisely tailored performance can be prepared by tuning the microstructure of the copolymer backbone using varying and distinct structural/functional features.

Current areas of interest in the APRL include:

• Fuel Cells –this research is focused on improving the properties of poly(arylene ether sulfone) polymers and membranes for proton exchange membrane fuels using phosphonate and sulfonated additives along with triazine based monomers. Published research with phosphonate additives shows increases in the water performance properties of BPSH-35 copolymer. Direct insertion of a methoxy triazine derivative (DCMT) demonstrated hydrolysis during Method 2 acidification.

• Water Purification –The long-term goal of this project is to synthesize a polyester polyamide thin-film composite (TFC) membrane with an active layer that enhances current reverse osmosis (RO) TFC membrane water flux (52 LMH) and salt rejection (99.6%). Past research from the APRL lab with an amino based monomer demonstrated considerably higher values than the industrial standard at higher concentration of the monomer.

• Biopolymers –The goal of this research is to develop poly(xylitol sebacate) (PXS) nanoparticles for drug delivery. Various reaction times and the effect on nanoparticle formation was investigated. To date PXS nanoparticles have been formed via a nanoprecipitation method. SEM and DLS-hydrodynamic size confirmed the average diameter of the unloaded and curcumin loaded PXS-MP-15H nanoparticles to be 262 nm and 352 nm, respectively. DLS-zeta potential for the unloaded and loaded nanopartilce were -15.7mV and -0.159mV, respectively.

• MXenes – the focus of this research is to develop novel etch methods based on utilizing elemental halogen/non-fluorine based etching procedures in oxygen-free non-aqueous solvents for removal of the “A” layer to further development and mass produce MXenes for commercial applications. Our research will focus on the synthesis and theoretical assessment of Ti₃C₂T_x MXenes physical and chemical properties with controlled and homogenous surface functionality.

Kalayu Belay, Ph.D.

kalayu.belay@famu.edu

•    Mechanical characterization of carbon nanotube (CNT) yarns
•    Electrical characterization CNT yarns
•    Investigating piezoresistive response of CNT yarns
•    Detection of damage in composite materials using CNT yarns
•    Stain measurement using CNT yarns

Dawn Lewis, Ph.D.

dawn.lewis@famu.edu

Elemental analysis of environmental samples using laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). Presently our focus is the elemental analysis of samples of petrified wood for Colorado.

Ephrem Mezonlin, Ph.D.

ephrem.mezonlin@famu.edu

•    Experimental Physics
•    High density plasmas studies on Fusion devices
•    Compact Neutral Particle Analyzer for measurements ion temperature measurements on MST
•    New diagnostics for electron and ion temperature on STPX
•    Search for renewal sources of energ

Bidhan Saha, Ph.D.

Chair of Physics Department

bidhan.saha@famu.edu

Theoretical and Computational Atomic and Molecular Physics studies:

•    Electron and positron impact Elastic and Inelastic collisions
•    Charge exchange phenomena involving Atoms,
•    Molecules and Solids
•    Resonance and Virtual states
•    e - molecule scattering including rotational and vibrational states
•    3-body breakup processes

Article: Bidhan C. Saha, PhD, Presented with the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award by Marquis Who's Who

Carol Scarlett, Ph.D.

carol.scarlett@famu.edu

Studying nuclear and particle physics experimentally to uncover explanations for currently observed phenomena such as Dark Matter, Dark Energy and evidence for matter-antimatter asymmetries.

Of Interest:

•    Experimental searches for Dark Matter Candidates (e.g. axion particles)
•    Cross sectional measurements of positron-neutron beta decays
•    Materials that lead to random walking through birefringent interactions
•    Quantum Computing

Experimental Techniques:

•    Development of Gas Electron Multiplier (GEM) detectors
•    Mirror Cavity amplification of optical effects
•    High Powered Laser production of Antimatter
•    Birefringence of materials for use in computing components

James Strohaber, Ph.D.

james.strohaber@famu.edu

Komalavalli Thirunavukkuarasu, Ph.D.

komalavalli.thirunav@famu.edu

Probing interplay of spin, charge, lattice and orbital degrees of freedom in functional materials under extreme conditions such as high magnetic field, high pressure and low temperatures using spectroscopy

Materials of interest:
•    Nano-materials
•    Molecular magnets
•    Multiferroics
•    Correlated electron systems
•    Energy materials

Experimental Techniques employed:
•    Raman scattering and photoluminescence
•    Broadband infrared spectroscopy
•    THz spectroscopy
•    Multi-frequency Electron Paramagnetic Resonance

Ronald Williams, Ph.D.

ronald.williams@famu.edu

STPX Spheromak Lab: Applications of magnetic field confined plasmas to fusion energy studies; astrophysical applications;

plasma generation, evolution and relaxation; diagnostic development.

Laser Plasma Beam Physics: Studies on the interactions of lasers, plasmas and particle beams; accelerator physics and relativistic plasma wave acceleration; X-Ray studies and generation; diagnostic development.

High Energy Density Physics: Studies on laser plasma interactions, astrophysics, atomic and plasma spectroscopy, ionization, electron ion equilibration; diagnostics.

Computational modeling and visualization.

Student research, internships and outreach.

Advisor for Society of Physics Students, and Sigma Pi Sigma,