Energy Engineering Seminar: Mike Campbell, Director, Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester

Description

Laser Fusion; present status and the path to Fusion Energy As the world evolves to carbon free energy, in addition to renewables, central, concentrated energy sources that can be placed in proximity to population centers will also be required. In addition to advanced, passively safe nuclear fission sources, nuclear fusion will ultimately become part of this “energy dialogue for the future.” While there are several approaches to fusion energy, Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) with targets directly illuminated by a high power laser has many attractive features. The motivation, status and future plans for laser direct drive, including that needed for fusion energy will be presented. Biography: Dr. Michael Campbell is Director for the Laboratory for Laser Energetics of the University Of Rochester. His responsibilities include strategic planning, developing new initiatives and partnerships with Laboratories and Universities, increasing interactions with the main campus of the University of Rochester, and overseeing and providing guidance to the overall scientific research of LLE. Campbell is an internationally known expert in Inertial Fusion, High Energy Density Physics, high power lasers and their applications and advanced energy technologies including Generation IV nuclear fission reactors and biofuels. He has won numerous awards including Department of Energy’s E. O. Lawrence Award, the American Nuclear Society’s Edward Teller Award, the American Physical Society’s John Dawson Award, the Department of Energy’s Excellence in Weapons Research Award, and the Leadership Award of Fusion Power Associates. He is a Fellow of the American Physical Society, OSA, and the European Institute of Physics. He has published over 300 articles in scientific journals, and holds 5 patents including the design of the first laboratory x-ray laser and the Fast Ignition Concept. He has given numerous invited and plenary talks at both national and international conferences. He is the originator of the Inertial Fusion Science and Applications (IFSA) Conference. He has been a member of numerous committees providing advice and strategy. They include the National Academy of Science, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Berkeley National Laboratory, University of Texas, the National Research Council of Canada, and Lockheed Martin Corporation. He serves on the Board of Evans and Southerland Corporation. Campbell has worked in various scientific and leadership positions at both federal laboratories and the private sector including Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, General Atomics, Logos Technologies, and Sandia National Laboratory. He has received his degrees from the University of Pennsylvania, Princeton University, and the University of Western Sydney. Campbell has numerous interests outside of his scientific career including blues and classic rock guitar, cartooning, history and paleontology. He is married to Corinne, his wonderful wife and three wonderful children Heather, Chelsey and Nicholas and three grandchildren Emerson, Evan and Camden.