Lawson criterion for ignition exceeded in an inertial fusion experiment

For more than half a century, researchers around the world have been engaged in attempts to achieve fusion ignition as a proof of principle of various fusion concepts. Following the Lawson criterion, an ignited plasma is one where the fusion heating power is high enough to overcome all the physical processes that cool the fusion plasma, creating a positive thermodynamic feedback loop with rapidly increasing temperature. In inertially confined fusion, ignition is a state where the fusion plasma can begin "burn propagation" into surrounding cold fuel, enabling the possibility of high energy gain. While "scientific breakeven" (i.e., unity target gain) has not yet been achieved (here target gain is 0.72, 1.37 MJ of fusion for 1.92 MJ of laser energy), this Letter reports the first controlled fusion experiment, using laser indirect drive, on the National Ignition Facility to produce capsule gain (here 5.8) and reach ignition by nine different formulations of the Lawson criterion

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Process management in an academic laboratory: recipe library, data access, monitoring, different tools to be implemented

International audienceThe processes developed in cleanrooms are often very specific to a particular technique, equipment or application. In academic organizations, we are sometimes facing the loss of knowledge with difficulties to take over technologies developed in the past.We propose here an approach to improve the quality of the processes developed on the photolithography resources and which will be in open access to all users of the LAAS platform. In this quality approach, several tools have been set up. First of all, we propose to develop some processes and to offer a library with a large panel ofrecipes in terms of dimensions and applications: plasma etching, deep etching, lift off, electroplating, etc. Several features have been taken into consideration: generic designs, standardized protocols, systematic characterization processes and data access via the MyFab platform management system.Secondly, we will present the methods to ensure the control of operations at different scales. For standard processes, we provide qualification operations as well as a statistical process control by using the data of the controls performed by the users. For more specific processes, a shared database is accessible to users to share process parameters.Through these different systems, which have been progressively implemented over the past 10 years, our management system has helped us to improve data sharing between users and assure quality of technological operations. These initiatives could be extended outside of the laboratory in order to share these good practices and improve knowledge sharing by working in a network

Process management in an academic laboratory: recipe library, data access, monitoring, different tools to be implemented

International audienceThe processes developed in cleanrooms are often very specific to a particular technique, equipment or application. In academic organizations, we are sometimes facing the loss of knowledge with difficulties to take over technologies developed in the past.We propose here an approach to improve the quality of the processes developed on the photolithography resources and which will be in open access to all users of the LAAS platform. In this quality approach, several tools have been set up. First of all, we propose to develop some processes and to offer a library with a large panel ofrecipes in terms of dimensions and applications: plasma etching, deep etching, lift off, electroplating, etc. Several features have been taken into consideration: generic designs, standardized protocols, systematic characterization processes and data access via the MyFab platform management system.Secondly, we will present the methods to ensure the control of operations at different scales. For standard processes, we provide qualification operations as well as a statistical process control by using the data of the controls performed by the users. For more specific processes, a shared database is accessible to users to share process parameters.Through these different systems, which have been progressively implemented over the past 10 years, our management system has helped us to improve data sharing between users and assure quality of technological operations. These initiatives could be extended outside of the laboratory in order to share these good practices and improve knowledge sharing by working in a network

Mise au point de procédés de lithographie UV sur l'équipement Suss Microtec MA-BA6 Gen4

National audienc