Liquid Metals, because of
their conductivity and fluidity, are of interest to plasma physicists.
The similarities between liquid metals and plasmas are being utilized
to understand important mechanisms in astrophysical plasmas. Examples
include the mechanisms by which angular momentum is transported by
effects due to magnetic fields and the generation of magnetic fields
themselves by kinetic motions (the dynamo problem). Studies of flowing
liquid metal are being used to study the possibility of using a liquid
metal inner-wall for fusion reactors, with the goal of increasing
performance and reliability.
Please see Plasmas.org for more information.
Magnetorotational
Instability (MRI) Experiment
Daniel P. Lanthrop's Dynamos Page
New
Mexico Liquid Sodium Alpha Omega Dynamo Experiment
Madison Dynamo Experiment