Ady Hershcovitch is a plasma physicist best known for his 1995 invention, the plasma window, [1] which was later patented. (United States Patent: 5578831:Hershcovitch). [2] In the plasma window, a plasma (which is an ionized gas confined by electric and magnetic fields) separates air from a vacuum by preventing the air from rushing into the vacuum. This scientific development can facilitate non-vacuum ion material modification, manufacturing of superalloys, and high-quality non-vacuum electron-beam welding. [3] [4] The device has been compared to the force field in the Star Trek TV series. [5] He is well known for his work in plasma physics at Brookhaven National Laboratory. [6] [7] He has over 80 publications[ citation needed ] and 15 patents. [8]
Hershcovitch earned his master's in nuclear engineering in 1975 and his Sc.D. in applied plasma physics in 1977 at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. [9] In 1980, Hershcovitch continued his research at Brookhaven National Laboratory in Upton, NY. [10] Some of his most notable research involves development of plasma windows for transmission of synchrotron radiation and particle beams, in-situ coating techniques for Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) designed to reduce cold-bore resistivity and electron cloud formation, working on the Active Denial System (ADS) for radioactive waste transmutation and sub-critical nuclear reactors, development of electron guns with plasma cathodes, directing projects in Russia aimed at development of high charge state DC ion sources for MeV ion implanters and developing a non-vacuum electron beam and in-water techniques like welders and water purifiers. [11] [12] He was an adjunct professor at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas from 2006 to 2010 and is currently an adjunct professor at Stony Brook University in Stony Brook, NY. [13] [14]
In Tomsk, Russia, Hershcovitch works as a consultant for Plasma Sources LTD. [15] He also works with the Skolkovo Foundation as a Nuclear Cluster Expert Panel Member to promote research that can result in commercial products. [16] Since 2010, Hershcovitch has also been a visiting scientist at the Riken Nishina Center in Wako, Japan. [17]
In 1987, he received the I.R. 100 Award for the development of ion-sensitive probe and in 1996, after patenting the Plasma Window, Hershcovitch received the R&D 100 Award, both selected as one of the 100 most significant technological developments worldwide. [18] On October 1, 2007, he was elected to the American Physical Society Fellowship. [19]
Hershcovitch is currently married to Kathy Hershcovitch and resides in Long Island, NY. [20]
Hershcovitch's plasma window was featured on the History Channel program "The Universe" pertaining to Weapons of the Future. [21] The Plasma Window is featured in book by Michio Kaku titled "Physics of the Impossible". [22] New Scientist has listed the plasma window as one of the 10 impossibilities conquered by science. [23]
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