College teachers at University of South China, China
Prof. Dr. Pingwei Zheng, a distinguished physicist at the University of South China, specializes in RF heating and current drive in magnetic confinement fusion devices, focusing on the Ohkawa mechanism and synergy effects among electron cyclotron, high harmonic fast wave, and lower hybrid current drive methods. With a Ph.D. in Nuclear Fusion and Plasma Physics from USC, he has published extensively in leading journals, including Nuclear Fusion and Physics of Plasmas. His pioneering contributions, such as developing new mechanisms for current drive and synergy effects in plasma, have significantly advanced nuclear fusion research. Dr. Zheng has led multiple research projects funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and other provincial initiatives, showcasing his expertise in both theoretical and computational approaches. His technical proficiency, academic leadership, and innovative work position him as a leading figure in the field, contributing meaningfully to the global pursuit of sustainable fusion energy.
Professional Profile
Education
Professor Dr. Pingwei Zheng has a robust academic foundation in physics and nuclear fusion. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Physics from Hunan Normal University, Changsha, in 2006. Driven by a passion for advanced research, he pursued postgraduate studies at the University of South China (USC), Hengyang, where he completed his Master’s degree in 2011, specializing in nuclear fusion and plasma physics. During this time, he developed a 3D Fokker-Planck code for RF heating and current drive using Fortran, laying the groundwork for his future contributions to fusion research. Building on his expertise, he obtained his Ph.D. in Nuclear Fusion and Plasma Physics from USC in 2019. His doctoral work focused on innovative mechanisms like Ohkawa-current-driven electron cyclotron waves and synergy effects in magnetic confinement fusion. This extensive academic journey reflects Dr. Zheng’s commitment to advancing the field of plasma physics and nuclear fusion technology.
Professional Experience
Prof. Dr. Pingwei Zheng is a distinguished physicist specializing in RF heating and current drive in magnetic confinement fusion devices. Since 2011, he has been a faculty member at the University of South China (USC), where he has led groundbreaking research on the Ohkawa mechanism-dominated current drive (OKCD) of electron cyclotron waves and the synergy effects between OKCD, high harmonic fast wave (HHFW), and lower hybrid current drive (LHCD). Dr. Zheng has successfully managed two projects funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and several provincial and ministerial-level research initiatives. His earlier work as a postgraduate included developing a 3D Fokker-Planck code for RF heating and current drive, showcasing his technical expertise in computational physics. Over the years, he has contributed significantly to advancing nuclear fusion research through his innovative studies, impactful publications in top-tier journals, and dedication to advancing fusion energy technologies.
Research Interest
Prof. Dr. Pingwei Zheng’s research is centered on advancing the understanding and development of RF heating and current drive mechanisms in magnetic confinement fusion devices. His work focuses on electron cyclotron current drive (ECCD), high harmonic fast wave (HHFW) current drive, and lower hybrid current drive (LHCD), with particular emphasis on the Ohkawa mechanism-dominated current drive (OKCD) and its synergy effects with other RF techniques. He has conducted innovative studies on the interaction of RF waves with plasma, including the stabilization of neoclassical tearing modes and enhancing current drive efficiency in the pedestal region of high-confinement tokamak plasmas. Prof. Zheng’s contributions extend to developing numerical methods and computational tools to simulate these phenomena, such as 3D Fokker-Planck codes. His research aims to address critical challenges in achieving sustainable fusion energy, positioning his work at the forefront of plasma physics and nuclear fusion technology.
Award and Honor
Prof. Dr. Pingwei Zheng, a distinguished researcher in nuclear fusion and plasma physics, has earned recognition for his groundbreaking contributions to RF heating and current drive in magnetic confinement fusion devices. As a principal investigator, he has successfully led multiple prestigious projects funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and provincial and ministerial-level bodies. His innovative research on the Ohkawa mechanism-dominated current drive (OKCD) and the synergy effects between RF current drive methods has been widely acclaimed. Dr. Zheng’s prolific academic output includes publications in high-impact journals such as Nuclear Fusion and Physics of Plasmas, showcasing his expertise and influence in the field. As a professor at the University of South China, he has become a leading voice in advancing theoretical and applied research in fusion technology, earning accolades for his commitment to scientific innovation and his contributions to the global energy research community.
Conclusion
Prof. Dr. Pingwei Zheng is a distinguished researcher whose work in nuclear fusion and plasma physics demonstrates significant innovation and technical mastery. His specialized research on RF heating and current drive mechanisms, particularly the Ohkawa mechanism and synergy effects, has made valuable contributions to the advancement of magnetic confinement fusion technology. With a strong academic background, numerous publications in high-impact journals, and leadership in nationally funded projects, Dr. Zheng has established himself as a leader in his field. His expertise in computational modeling and numerical methods further enhances the practical and theoretical depth of his research. While expanding his global collaborations and highlighting broader community engagement could strengthen his profile further, Dr. Zheng’s achievements clearly reflect his dedication to addressing critical challenges in fusion energy. His contributions make him a deserving and competitive candidate for the Best Researcher Award.
Publications Top Noted
- Numerical investigation of electron cyclotron and electron Bernstein wave current drive in EXL-50U spherical torus
- Numerical study of minority ion heating scenarios in CN-H1 stellarator plasma
- Numerical Studies on Electron Cyclotron Resonance Heating and Optimization in the CN-H1 Stellarator
- Impact of hot plasma effects on electron cyclotron current drive in tokamak plasmas
- A full wave solver integrated with a Fokker–Planck code for optimizing ion heating with ICRF waves for the ITER deuterium–tritium plasma
- Evaluation of ECCD power requirement for neoclassical tearing modes suppression in the CFETR hybrid scenario
- Integrated simulation analysis of the HL-2M high-parameter hybrid scenario
- Separate calculations of the two currents driven by electron cyclotron waves
- Electron cyclotron current drive under neutral beam injection on HL-2M
- Numerical study of m = 2/n = 1 neoclassical tearing mode stabilized by the Ohkawa-mechanism-dominated current drive of electron cyclotron waves
- Numerical investigation of ECCD under the CFETR concept design parameters
- Effective current drive in the pedestal region of high-confinement tokamak plasma using electron cyclotron waves
- New synergy effects of the lower hybrid wave and the high harmonic fast wave current drive
- Simulation of plasma scenarios for CFETR phase II based on engineering design parameters
- Numerical investigation of a new ICRF heating scenario in D-T plasma on CFETR
- Simulation of the Ohkawa-mechanism- dominated current drive of electron cyclotron waves using linear and quasi-linear models