Justin E. Barton Email & Phone Number

Niskayuna, Ny, Usa

Bethlehem, Pa, Usa

I conducted research aimed at advancing the state-of-the-art in optimizing and actively controlling the magnetic and thermal state evolution of the reactant plasma in nuclear fusion magnetic confinement tokamak devices with the goals of enabling the study of desired operating regimes, making operating scenarios more reproducible, controlling the proximity to plasma stability limits and clarifying the physics aspects important to robust tokamak operation.I developed physics-based, nonlinear, multivariable, distributed parameter dynamic models of the plasma magnetic and thermal state evolution for general, reactor-relevant scenarios that were suitable for control design. Subsequently, I validated the model prediction against both simulated data obtained from complex physics simulations and experimentally achieved plasma state parameters.By employing advanced model-based control design techniques (nonlinear constrained optimization and robust control theory in particular), I numerically designed feedforward and feedback control algorithms to steer the plasma magnetic and thermal state through the tokamak operating space to reach physically relevant targets. I developed these control schemes for various tokamaks, including DIII-D and TCV (modern day devices in San Diego, CA and Lausanne, Switzerland, respectively) and ITER (future reactor under construction in France), and validated the ability of the algorithms to track physically relevant targets while avoiding stability limits through simulations with MATLAB/Simulink models of the plasma dynamics.Additionally, I experimentally demonstrated closed-loop control of the plasma magnetic profile in the DIII-D tokamak. These experiments constituted the first time first-principles-driven, physic-based, closed-loop control of the magnetic profile was demonstrated in a tokamak. To conduct the experiments, I implemented a general framework for real-time control of the plasma state into the DIII-D Plasma Control System.

Bethlehem, Pa, Usa

Introduction to Engineering Practice (Instructor): I co-developed a hands-on mini wind turbine design project to provide first year students with an introduction to the many principles utilized in mechanical engineering. We first introduced the students to the SolidWorks 3D computer aided design modeling software and assisted them in designing mini wind turbine blades. The students designs were then fabricated using a Stratasys 3D Printer. Finally, we aided the students in setting up and testing their wind turbine designs by utilizing a wind source, various universal turbine blade hub connectors (to allow students to test their designs in multiple configurations, such as the number of blades and the pitch of the blades relative to the incoming wind), a pulley system and an electrical generator.Numerical Methods in Mechanical Engineering (Teaching Assistant): I ran on-campus laboratory sessions designed to reinforce and clarify the concepts of engineering applications of Excel, simple numerical methods, and basic MATLAB introduced by the course professor through video lectures. Additionally, I assisted students in competing laboratory exercise, homework and project assignments and held weekly office hours to complement the laboratory sessions and ran exam review sessions. Finally, I proctored student exams and graded student homework and project assignments.Nuclear Fusion and Radiation Protection (Teaching Assistant): I taught lectures on the design of nuclear fusion tokamak devices, radioactivity and various radioactive decay processes. Additionally, I proctored student exams and graded student exams and homework assignments.Graphics for Engineering Design (Teaching Assistant): I ran laboratory sessions where students learned to construct parts and assemblies using the NX I-DEAS (Integrated Design and Engineering Analysis Software) 3D computer aided design modeling software. Additionally, I graded student semester long projects and homework assignments.

Centre De Recherches En Physique Des Plasmas (Crpp), Lausanne, Switzerland

I developed a general physics-based modeling approach to convert the physics models that describe the plasma electrical current profile and internal energy dynamics in tokamaks into a form suitable for control algorithm design for general, reactor-relevant, burning (one with a significant number of fusion reactions) plasma scenarios. I then tailored the model to burning plasma scenarios in ITER, which is a reactor under construction that is designed to study the scientific feasibility of the tokamak concept to nuclear fusion energy production. Subsequently, I compared the model prediction to the plasma state evolution predicted by the DINA-CH&CRONOS tokamak simulation code (complex, physics-based plasma state evolution code utilized to study the achievability of desired operating scenarios) to obtain a sense of the range of applicability of the control-oriented model of the plasma dynamics. I also incorporated functionality into the DINA-CH&CRONOS code for closed-loop control of the magnetic and thermal plasma profiles to allow for validation of proposed control schemes for ITER. Additionally, I assisted in the instruction of a week long basic control theory course for the graduate students at the CRPP. Finally, I presented a seminar on the active control of the plasma electrical current profile in the DIII-D tokamak.

Fusion Energy Research Group, San Diego, Ca, Usa

Utilizing the Simulink modeling software, I developed a simulation model of the distributed dynamics of the plasma electrical current profile in the DIII-D tokamak. This simulation model was subsequently interfaced with the DIII-D Plasma Control System (PCS) to test the real-time code utilized to control the plasma current profile evolution in the DIII-D tokamak. Finally, I employed the simulation model to determine the effectiveness of current profile controllers and the correctness of their real-time implementation prior to the execution of experimental tests in DIII-D.

Bettis Atomic Power Laboratory, Pittsburgh, Pa, Usa

I designed an application using LabVIEW to map various kinds of temperature calculations onto a 3D Computer Aided Design (CAD) model of a test piece as colors in real time. The application was designed to: be computationally efficient for real-time deployment, be easily configurable to any test section with any geometry, provide the end user with a physical sense of the events occurring in the test section in a concise manner and be easily readable and understood for maintenance and upgrading. Additionally, I designed a data player that could replay old test runs for analyst use. Finally, I updated the data acquisition code to be compatible with the application.

Bettis Atomic Power Laboratory, Pittsburgh, Pa, Usa

I developed an preliminary application using LabVIEW to map various kinds of temperature calculations onto a 3D Computer Aided Design (CAD) model of a test piece as colors in real time. Additionally, I completed LabVIEW training courses (Basics I and II, Intermediate I and II and Advanced) at Data Science Automation to enhance my knowledge of LabVIEW.

Research And Development Division, Pittsburgh, Pa, Usa

I composed process flow diagrams and wrote process descriptions of the subsystems in the Pressurized Fluidized Bed Combustion Technology-Pilot Test Facility (PFBC-PTF), which is a next generation coal power plant designed to burn waste coal. In order to test the flow of the coal-paste fuel without needing to start the entire plant, I designed a separate pressurization system that mimicked the plant operating conditions. Additionally, I worked with other engineers to update Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams of PFBC-PTF. Finally, I ran the water treatment and gas analyzer systems of the PFBC-PTF.

Doctor Of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Mechanical Engineering

Activities and Societies: American Physical Society (APS), Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), Rossin Doctoral Fellows

Bachelor Of Science (B.Sc.), Mechanical Engineering (Minor In Aerospace Engineering), With Highest Honors

Activities and Societies: Rossin Junior Fellows, Pi Tau Sigma Honorary Mechanical Engineering Fraternity, Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor.