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Energy Generation Systems Lab
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A lab that develops space propulsion devices and more based on understanding and controlling plasma.
AboutAbout the lab
Understanding plasma, controlling it, and putting it to use.
The Takahashi Lab researches the understanding and control of plasma phenomena, and based on that knowledge conducts research and development on space propulsion devices (plasma engines), fusion-related technologies, and industrial plasma processing equipment.
Plasma is a state of matter, called the fourth state of matter, consisting of positive and negative ions and electrons.
Because it is a fluid to which electromagnetic fields can be applied from outside, it can be controlled, for example through confinement and efficient acceleration.
The lab conducts research mainly through laboratory experiments.
On the lab's website, the lab is introduced under the name "Plasma Dynamics and Propulsion Lab."
Key terms
- Plasma
- The fourth state of matter, consisting of charged particles such as positive and negative ions and electrons. It interacts with electromagnetic fields and behaves in complex ways
- Magnetic nozzle
- A nozzle-shaped magnetic field formed by magnetic field lines that diverge downstream of the plasma source. Plasma is naturally accelerated within it
- Sputtering
- A phenomenon in which high-energy ions strike the surface of a material and knock atoms out of it
NewsLab news
A paper first-authored by Prof. Takahashi was published in Physical Review Research
A paper first-authored by a graduate was published in Plasma and Fusion Research
An undergraduate student won the Tohoku University President's Award
ResearchResearch themes
Building on the understanding and control of plasma phenomena, the lab carries out experimental research on space propulsion devices (electric propulsion), industrial plasma equipment, and fusion-related technologies. It also starts new research themes at any time, following new ideas and interests.
*Illustrative imagePlasma dynamics
Because plasma can be treated as an easily controlled fluid, the lab uses laboratory experiments to investigate the formation of its spatiotemporal structures and the transport of particles and energy. The research also covers the development of plasma sources and the energy distributions of ions and electrons.
*Illustrative imageMagnetic nozzle electrodeless plasma thruster
The lab studies thrusters in which plasma produced by ionizing gas with radio-frequency power is accelerated by a diverging magnetic field (a magnetic nozzle) and ejected, with the reaction force propelling the spacecraft. These thrusters are expected to serve as high-power space propulsion engines, and the lab advances the understanding of the fundamental physics and performance improvements in parallel.
*Illustrative imageSpace debris removal method
The lab studies a method in which a single thruster ejects plasma in both directions, keeping the net thrust at zero while applying a decelerating force to the debris. The structure of the magnetic field allows switching between acceleration, deceleration, and debris removal modes.
*Illustrative imageCompact electric thrusters
The lab is developing a new type of electric thruster that uses sputtering. Because the emitted particles are electrically neutral, no neutralizer is needed, which allows the system to be made compact. The lab is advancing the development of a version that uses water, which is easy to store, as propellant.
MembersFaculty
The members of the Takahashi Lab consist of faculty, administrative and technical assistants, and doctoral, master's, and undergraduate students.As of 2026
- ProfessorKazunori Takahashi
- Assistant ProfessorTakumi Seto
VoicesStudent voices
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Report an errorAbout the images
The top and research theme images are illustrative and were not taken at the lab. They are cropped from Wikimedia Commons images. Cropped CC BY-SA images are provided under the same CC BY-SA license as the original (version shown on each line).
- Top image: “Plasma source” Driveraorona / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Plasma dynamics: “Pegasus Toroidal Experiment ( )” troop_156_glenview / CC0 (cropped)
- Magnetic nozzle electrodeless plasma thruster: “Ion Engine Test Firing - GPN” NASA / Public domain (cropped)
- Space debris removal method: “Space Debris Low Earth Orbit” Orbital Debris Program Office / Public domain (cropped)
- Compact electric thrusters: “Hall Effect Thruster in a vacuum chamber” EXOTRAIL SA / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Kaneko-Sasaki Lab): “Generator of atmospheric arc discharge plasma” Relyon Plasma GmbH / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Kato (Toshiaki)-Okada Lab): “Carbon nanotube zigzag povray cropped” Carbon_nanotube_zigzag_povray.PNG: Arnero derivative work: Antony-22 (talk) / Public domain (cropped)
- Related lab (Shimizu Lab): “Superconducting Quantum Chip with Dispersive Background 3” OJB Quantum / CC BY 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Electromagnetic Wave Engineering [Chen-Konno-Sato] Lab): “XEMU Antenna Testing in JSC's Anechoic Chamber (jsc2021e022488)” NASA Johnson Space Center / Norah Moran / Public domain (cropped)
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