[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 155 (Friday, October 11, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1024-E1025]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE RECIPIENTS OF THE 2024 JOHN DAWSON AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE 
                       IN PLASMA PHYSICS RESEARCH

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                         HON. JOSEPH D. MORELLE

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 11, 2024

  Mr. MORELLE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the research team 
from the University of Rochester's Laboratory for Laser Energetics 
(LLE) in my district that was recently awarded the 2024 John Dawson 
Award for Excellence in Plasma Physics Research from the American 
Physical Society. This prestigious honor recognizes outstanding 
achievements in plasma physics research that stand out for their 
innovation and impact on the field.
  The team received the award for pioneering the development of 
statistical modeling to predict, design, and analyze implosion 
experiments on the 30kJ OMEGA Laser. The research validates innovative 
design and analysis approaches, paving the way for more efficient 
exploration of target designs and improved understanding of the 
underlying physics. The expanding use of machine learning models has 
allowed the researchers to explore an optimal implosion design with 
high accuracy, minimal computational cost, and improved predictive 
capability.
  These advancements are expected to guide future implosion experiments 
and accelerate progress in high-yield inertial confinement fusion and 
inertial fusion energy. The award-winning research involved 
contributions from various scientists and engineers in diagnostics and 
code development, target fabrication and cryogenic layering, and laser 
facility operation. Those involved include Riccardo Betti, Aarne Lees, 
Varchas Gopalaswamy, Duc M. Cao, Chad J. Forrest, James P. Knauer, Sean 
P. Regan, Rahul C. Shah, Cliff A. Thomas, Connor Alexander Williams, 
and Mike Campbell.
  Mr. Speaker, I applaud the research team for their tremendous work 
and deserved recognition and couldn't be happier that scientific 
advances like these occur in Rochester. The study of fusion in the 
laboratory is critical to our national security and with the continued 
progress towards record fusion yields, I am increasingly enthusiastic 
about a future where

[[Page E1025]]

fusion powers our energy and economic security as well.

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