Solid→ Liquid→ Gas→ Plasma. Plasma is the universe’s most abundant energy source, and yet so mysterious. We unravel its enigmatic behavior.
Plasma—the fourth state of matter— is a gas so hot that its electrons and ions have been stripped away, forming a soup of excited particles. 99.9% of the observable universe—stars, nebulae, comet tails—is glowing plasma. Lightning bolts, neon signs, and the aurora are also plasmas. Plasma is both ordinary and extraordinary, and scientists are still working to understand its behavioral quirks.
Plasma is also where fusion happens. At extremely high temperatures, plasma particles don’t just collide; they fuse, releasing massive amounts of energy in the form of heat, light, and energetic neutrons. We can create plasmas in labs, and we also use theoretical physics to model how plasma reacts under different conditions. With help from powerful quantum computers and AI tools, our researchers are revisiting plasma data to make new discoveries faster. From the secrets of the cosmos to fusion energy, plasma science has the answers.
