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Fatima Ebrahimi is an Iranian-American physicist. She does theoretical and computational plasma physics research for applications including fusion energy and space and astrophysical plasmas^[1]^[2]. Ebrahimi received BSc and MSc degrees in Physics from the elite Tehran Polytechnic in 1993 and 1996, respectively, and a PhD in Plasma Physics at the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 2003 under the supervision of Stewart Prager^[3]^[2]. Her approach to plasma physics has been characterized as "applying knowledge from her fusion research in the laboratory to astrophysics and vice versa"^[2]. She is a Principal Research Physicist at the PPPL Theory Department and an Affiliated Research Scholar at the Department of Astrophysical Sciences, Princeton University^[4].

Ebrahimi's most notable contribution to science has been her research on how plasmoids (plasma objects enclosed by magnetic fields) can be used to create the initial plasma current in compact spherical tokamaks^[5]^[6] and produce thrust for space propulsion^[7]^[8]^[9]^[10]^[11]^[12]. Her proposed electromagnetic plasma thruster utilizes magnetic reconnection for magnetic-to-kinetic energy conversion, emulating the physical mechanism that generates solar flares^[13]. Simulations on NERSC supercomputers^[14] demonstrated that thrust is generated by expulsion of continuously created plasmoids, when magnetic helicity is injected into an annular thruster channel^[15]. The scientific article where her reconnecting plasmoid thruster concept was introduced has over 11,000 full-text views and has been covered by 38 news outlets^[15]. An article on the thruster^[16] was the most read aerospace story on the Institution of Mechanical Engineers website in 2021^[17]. Princeton University has a patent pending on the thruster technology^[13], which has been described as "it may come to be known as the Ebrahimi Drive – an engine inspired by fusion reactors and the incredible power of solar Coronal Mass Ejections"^[8]. Ebrahimi has also done research on the magnetorotational instability and demonstrated in global simulations its importance for the dynamo of astrophysical disks^[18] and for plasmoid reconnection^[19].

References

^ Pandika, Melissa (October 30, 2017). "Could this young physicist finally crack the code to nuclear fusion?". OZY Magazine. Archived from the original on October 4, 2021. Retrieved April 5, 2022.
^ ^a ^b ^c Awe, Stephanie (April 5, 2022). "A Future for Nuclear Fusion". On Wisconsin Magazine. Archived from the original on June 13, 2021. Retrieved April 5, 2022.
^ "Fatima Ebrahimi". UW Department of Physics. April 5, 2022. Archived from the original on June 13, 2021. Retrieved April 5, 2022.
^ "Fatima Ebrahimi". PPPL Theory Department. April 5, 2022. Archived from the original on November 15, 2021. Retrieved April 5, 2022.
^ Rosen, Raphael (June 1, 2015). "Giant structures called plasmoids could simplify design of future tokamaks". Science Daily. Archived from the original on April 7, 2019. Retrieved April 7, 2022.
^ "Physicists conduct experiments indicating efficiency of fusion start-up technique". phys.org. May 31, 2016. Archived from the original on November 29, 2020. Retrieved April 7, 2022.
^ Delbert, Caroline (February 2, 2021). "The Unusual Rocket Thruster That Will Send Humans to Mars". Popular Mechanics. Archived from the original on April 2, 2022. Retrieved April 7, 2022.
^ ^a ^b Cimone, Matthew (February 9, 2021). "Plasma Thruster Could Dramatically Cut Down Flight Times to the Outer Solar System". Universe Today. Archived from the original on November 15, 2021. Retrieved April 7, 2022.
^ Szondy, David (January 31, 2021). "New magnetic rocket thruster concept could propel astronauts to Mars". New Atlas. Archived from the original on May 12, 2021. Retrieved April 7, 2022.
^ Banerjee, Krishnendu (January 30, 2021). "Scientist Develops New Fusion Rocket that Could Take Humans to Mars in Short Time". International Business Times. Archived from the original on June 30, 2021. Retrieved April 7, 2022.
^ Houser, Kristin (February 3, 2021). "Nuclear fusion inspires new rocket thruster design". Freethink. Archived from the original on July 10, 2021. Retrieved April 7, 2022.
^ "How Dr. Fatima Ebrahimi is Geting Humans a Faster Ticket to Mars". Energy.gov. February 11, 2021. Archived from the original on March 11, 2021. Retrieved April 7, 2022.
^ ^a ^b "Fatima Ebrahimi: A rocket thruster that could take humans to Mars and beyond". Princeton Innovation. November 2, 2021. Archived from the original on December 16, 2021. Retrieved April 7, 2022.
^ "NERSC Aids Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory in Plasma Rocket Breakthrough". HPCwire. March 30, 2021. Archived from the original on March 31, 2021. Retrieved April 7, 2022.
^ ^a ^b Ebrahimi, Fatima (December 21, 2020). "An Alfvenic reconnecting plasmoid thruster". Journal of Plasma Physics. Archived from the original on November 16, 2021. Retrieved April 7, 2022.
^ "Solar flare-style rocket thruster 'could send astronauts to outer solar system'". Institution of Mechanical Engineers. January 29, 2022. Archived from the original on January 18, 2022. Retrieved April 7, 2022.
^ "The 5 most-read aerospace stories of 2021". Institution of Mechanical Engineers. December 21, 2021. Archived from the original on January 10, 2022. Retrieved April 7, 2022.
^ Ebrahimi, Fatima (May 19, 2009). "Saturation Of Magnetorotational Instability Through Magnetic Field Generation". The Astrophysical Journal. Retrieved April 7, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
^ Rosenberg, Jarrett (October 14, 2021). "Onset of Plasmoid Reconnection during Magnetorotational Instability". The Astrophysical Journal Letters. Retrieved April 7, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)

[1] Pandika, Melissa (October 30, 2017). "Could this young physicist finally crack the code to nuclear fusion?". OZY Magazine. Archived from the original on October 4, 2021. Retrieved April 5, 2022.

[:0-2] Awe, Stephanie (April 5, 2022). "A Future for Nuclear Fusion". On Wisconsin Magazine. Archived from the original on June 13, 2021. Retrieved April 5, 2022.

[3] "Fatima Ebrahimi". UW Department of Physics. April 5, 2022. Archived from the original on June 13, 2021. Retrieved April 5, 2022.

[4] "Fatima Ebrahimi". PPPL Theory Department. April 5, 2022. Archived from the original on November 15, 2021. Retrieved April 5, 2022.

[5] Rosen, Raphael (June 1, 2015). "Giant structures called plasmoids could simplify design of future tokamaks". Science Daily. Archived from the original on April 7, 2019. Retrieved April 7, 2022.

[6] "Physicists conduct experiments indicating efficiency of fusion start-up technique". phys.org. May 31, 2016. Archived from the original on November 29, 2020. Retrieved April 7, 2022.

[7] Delbert, Caroline (February 2, 2021). "The Unusual Rocket Thruster That Will Send Humans to Mars". Popular Mechanics. Archived from the original on April 2, 2022. Retrieved April 7, 2022.

[:1-8] Cimone, Matthew (February 9, 2021). "Plasma Thruster Could Dramatically Cut Down Flight Times to the Outer Solar System". Universe Today. Archived from the original on November 15, 2021. Retrieved April 7, 2022.

[9] Szondy, David (January 31, 2021). "New magnetic rocket thruster concept could propel astronauts to Mars". New Atlas. Archived from the original on May 12, 2021. Retrieved April 7, 2022.

[10] Banerjee, Krishnendu (January 30, 2021). "Scientist Develops New Fusion Rocket that Could Take Humans to Mars in Short Time". International Business Times. Archived from the original on June 30, 2021. Retrieved April 7, 2022.

[11] Houser, Kristin (February 3, 2021). "Nuclear fusion inspires new rocket thruster design". Freethink. Archived from the original on July 10, 2021. Retrieved April 7, 2022.

[12] "How Dr. Fatima Ebrahimi is Geting Humans a Faster Ticket to Mars". Energy.gov. February 11, 2021. Archived from the original on March 11, 2021. Retrieved April 7, 2022.

[:2-13] "Fatima Ebrahimi: A rocket thruster that could take humans to Mars and beyond". Princeton Innovation. November 2, 2021. Archived from the original on December 16, 2021. Retrieved April 7, 2022.

[14] "NERSC Aids Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory in Plasma Rocket Breakthrough". HPCwire. March 30, 2021. Archived from the original on March 31, 2021. Retrieved April 7, 2022.

[:3-15] Ebrahimi, Fatima (December 21, 2020). "An Alfvenic reconnecting plasmoid thruster". Journal of Plasma Physics. Archived from the original on November 16, 2021. Retrieved April 7, 2022.

[16] "Solar flare-style rocket thruster 'could send astronauts to outer solar system'". Institution of Mechanical Engineers. January 29, 2022. Archived from the original on January 18, 2022. Retrieved April 7, 2022.

[17] "The 5 most-read aerospace stories of 2021". Institution of Mechanical Engineers. December 21, 2021. Archived from the original on January 10, 2022. Retrieved April 7, 2022.

[18] Ebrahimi, Fatima (May 19, 2009). "Saturation Of Magnetorotational Instability Through Magnetic Field Generation". The Astrophysical Journal. Retrieved April 7, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)

[19] Rosenberg, Jarrett (October 14, 2021). "Onset of Plasmoid Reconnection during Magnetorotational Instability". The Astrophysical Journal Letters. Retrieved April 7, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)

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-Fatima Ebrahimi is an Iranian-American physicist. She does theoretical and computational [[Plasma (physics)|plasma physics]] research for applications including [[Fusion power|fusion energy]] and space and astrophysical plasmas<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pandika |first=Melissa |date=October 30, 2017 |title=Could this young physicist finally crack the code to nuclear fusion? |url=https://www.ozy.com/rising-stars/could-this-young-physicist-finally-crack-the-code-to-nuclear-fusion/81595 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211004171542/https://www.ozy.com/the-new-and-the-next/could-this-young-physicist-finally-crack-the-code-to-nuclear-fusion/81595/ |archive-date=October 4, 2021 |access-date=April 5, 2022 |website=OZY Magazine}}</ref><ref name=":0" />. Ebrahimi received BSc and MSc degrees in Physics from the elite [[Amirkabir University of Technology|Tehran Polytechnic]] in 1993 and 1996, respectively, and a PhD in Plasma Physics at the [[University of Wisconsin–Madison]] in 2003 under the supervision of Stewart Prager<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 5, 2022 |title=Fatima Ebrahimi |url=https://www.physics.wisc.edu/directory/ebrahimi-fatima/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613071159/https://www.physics.wisc.edu/directory/ebrahimi-fatima/ |archive-date=June 13, 2021 |access-date=April 5, 2022 |website=UW Department of Physics}}</ref><ref name=":0" />. Her approach to plasma physics has been characterized as "applying knowledge from her fusion research in the laboratory to astrophysics and vice versa"<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Awe |first=Stephanie |date=April 5, 2022 |title=A Future for Nuclear Fusion |url=https://onwisconsin.uwalumni.com/features/a-future-for-nuclear-fusion/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613193823/https://onwisconsin.uwalumni.com/features/a-future-for-nuclear-fusion/ |archive-date=June 13, 2021 |access-date=April 5, 2022 |website=On Wisconsin Magazine}}</ref>. She is a Principal Research Physicist at the [[Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory|PPPL]] Theory Department and an Affiliated Research Scholar at the Department of Astrophysical Sciences, [[Princeton University]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 5, 2022 |title=Fatima Ebrahimi |url=https://theory.pppl.gov/people/profile.php?pid=58&n=Fatima-Ebrahimi |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211115061246/https://theory.pppl.gov/people/profile.php?pid=58&n=Fatima-Ebrahimi |archive-date=November 15, 2021 |access-date=April 5, 2022 |website=PPPL Theory Department}}</ref>.
+'''Fatima Ebrahimi''' is an Iranian-American physicist. She does theoretical and computational [[Plasma (physics)|plasma physics]] research for applications including [[Fusion power|fusion energy]] and space and astrophysical plasmas<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pandika |first=Melissa |date=October 30, 2017 |title=Could this young physicist finally crack the code to nuclear fusion? |url=https://www.ozy.com/rising-stars/could-this-young-physicist-finally-crack-the-code-to-nuclear-fusion/81595 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211004171542/https://www.ozy.com/the-new-and-the-next/could-this-young-physicist-finally-crack-the-code-to-nuclear-fusion/81595/ |archive-date=October 4, 2021 |access-date=April 5, 2022 |website=OZY Magazine}}</ref><ref name=":0" />. Ebrahimi received BSc and MSc degrees in Physics from the elite [[Amirkabir University of Technology|Tehran Polytechnic]] in 1993 and 1996, respectively, and a PhD in Plasma Physics at the [[University of Wisconsin–Madison]] in 2003 under the supervision of Stewart Prager<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 5, 2022 |title=Fatima Ebrahimi |url=https://www.physics.wisc.edu/directory/ebrahimi-fatima/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613071159/https://www.physics.wisc.edu/directory/ebrahimi-fatima/ |archive-date=June 13, 2021 |access-date=April 5, 2022 |website=UW Department of Physics}}</ref><ref name=":0" />. Her approach to plasma physics has been characterized as "applying knowledge from her fusion research in the laboratory to astrophysics and vice versa"<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Awe |first=Stephanie |date=April 5, 2022 |title=A Future for Nuclear Fusion |url=https://onwisconsin.uwalumni.com/features/a-future-for-nuclear-fusion/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613193823/https://onwisconsin.uwalumni.com/features/a-future-for-nuclear-fusion/ |archive-date=June 13, 2021 |access-date=April 5, 2022 |website=On Wisconsin Magazine}}</ref>. She is a Principal Research Physicist at the [[Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory|PPPL]] Theory Department and an Affiliated Research Scholar at the Department of Astrophysical Sciences, [[Princeton University]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 5, 2022 |title=Fatima Ebrahimi |url=https://theory.pppl.gov/people/profile.php?pid=58&n=Fatima-Ebrahimi |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211115061246/https://theory.pppl.gov/people/profile.php?pid=58&n=Fatima-Ebrahimi |archive-date=November 15, 2021 |access-date=April 5, 2022 |website=PPPL Theory Department}}</ref>.
-Ebrahimi's most notable contribution to science has been her research on how plasmoids (plasma objects enclosed by magnetic fields) can be used to create the initial plasma current in compact [[Spherical tokamak|spherical tokamaks]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rosen |first=Raphael |date=June 1, 2015 |title=Giant structures called plasmoids could simplify design of future tokamaks |url=https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/06/150601172838.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190407210419/https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/06/150601172838.htm |archive-date=April 7, 2019 |access-date=April 7, 2022 |website=Science Daily}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=May 31, 2016 |title=Physicists conduct experiments indicating efficiency of fusion start-up technique |url=https://phys.org/news/2016-05-physicists-indicating-efficiency-fusion-start-up.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201129175719/https://phys.org/news/2016-05-physicists-indicating-efficiency-fusion-start-up.html |archive-date=November 29, 2020 |access-date=April 7, 2022 |website=phys.org}}</ref> and produce thrust for [[Spacecraft propulsion|space propulsion]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Delbert |first=Caroline |date=February 2, 2021 |title=The Unusual Rocket Thruster That Will Send Humans to Mars |url=https://www.popularmechanics.com/space/rockets/a35393411/magnetic-rocket-thruster-spaceflight-mars/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220402100213/https://www.popularmechanics.com/space/rockets/a35393411/magnetic-rocket-thruster-spaceflight-mars/ |archive-date=April 2, 2022 |access-date=April 7, 2022 |website=Popular Mechanics}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Cimone |first=Matthew |date=February 9, 2021 |title=Plasma Thruster Could Dramatically Cut Down Flight Times to the Outer Solar System |url=https://www.universetoday.com/150066/plasma-thruster-could-dramatically-cut-down-flight-times-to-the-outer-solar-system/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211115061246/https://www.universetoday.com/150066/plasma-thruster-could-dramatically-cut-down-flight-times-to-the-outer-solar-system/ |archive-date=November 15, 2021 |access-date=April 7, 2022 |website=Universe Today}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Szondy |first=David |date=January 31, 2021 |title=New magnetic rocket thruster concept could propel astronauts to Mars |url=https://newatlas.com/space/magnetic-reconnection-rocket-thruster-concept-spaceflight-mars/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210512153722/https://newatlas.com/space/magnetic-reconnection-rocket-thruster-concept-spaceflight-mars/ |archive-date=May 12, 2021 |access-date=April 7, 2022 |website=New Atlas}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Banerjee |first=Krishnendu |date=January 30, 2021 |title=Scientist Develops New Fusion Rocket that Could Take Humans to Mars in Short Time |url=https://www.ibtimes.sg/scientist-develop-new-fusion-rocket-that-could-take-humans-mars-short-time-55247 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210630064858/https://www.ibtimes.sg/scientist-develop-new-fusion-rocket-that-could-take-humans-mars-short-time-55247 |archive-date=June 30, 2021 |access-date=April 7, 2022 |website=International Business Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Houser |first=Kristin |date=February 3, 2021 |title=Nuclear fusion inspires new rocket thruster design |url=https://www.freethink.com/space/rocket-thruster |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210710115111/https://www.freethink.com/space/rocket-thruster |archive-date=July 10, 2021 |access-date=April 7, 2022 |website=Freethink}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Liberatore |first=Stacy |date=January 29, 2021 |title=Female physicist invents new fusion rocket that could take the first humans to Mars 10 TIMES faster than space-proven thrusters |url=https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-9202081/Female-physicist-invents-new-fusion-rocket-humans-Mars.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220402100217/https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-9202081/Female-physicist-invents-new-fusion-rocket-humans-Mars.html |archive-date=April 2, 2022 |access-date=April 7, 2022 |website=Daily Mail}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=February 11, 2021 |title=How Dr. Fatima Ebrahimi is Geting Humans a Faster Ticket to Mars |url=https://www.energy.gov/articles/how-dr-fatima-ebrahimi-geting-humans-faster-ticket-mars |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210311060534/https://www.energy.gov/articles/how-dr-fatima-ebrahimi-geting-humans-faster-ticket-mars |archive-date=March 11, 2021 |access-date=April 7, 2022 |website=Energy.gov}}</ref>. Her proposed electromagnetic [[Plasma propulsion engine|plasma thruster]] utilizes [[magnetic reconnection]] for magnetic-to-kinetic energy conversion, emulating the physical mechanism that generates solar flares<ref name=":2" />. Simulations on [[National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center|NERSC]] supercomputers<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 30, 2021 |title=NERSC Aids Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory in Plasma Rocket Breakthrough |url=https://www.hpcwire.com/off-the-wire/nersc-aids-princeton-plasma-physics-laboratory-in-plasma-rocket-breakthrough/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210331120754/https://www.hpcwire.com/off-the-wire/nersc-aids-princeton-plasma-physics-laboratory-in-plasma-rocket-breakthrough/ |archive-date=March 31, 2021 |access-date=April 7, 2022 |website=HPCwire}}</ref> demonstrated that thrust is generated by expulsion of continuously created plasmoids, when [[magnetic helicity]] is injected into an annular thruster channel<ref name=":3" />. The scientific article where her reconnecting plasmoid thruster concept was introduced has over 11,000 full-text views and has been covered by 38 news outlets<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Ebrahimi |first=Fatima |date=December 21, 2020 |title=An Alfvenic reconnecting plasmoid thruster |url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-plasma-physics/article/an-alfvenic-reconnecting-plasmoid-thruster/F296E45CC504E8FF2586EA79117E2514 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211116071801/https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-plasma-physics/article/an-alfvenic-reconnecting-plasmoid-thruster/F296E45CC504E8FF2586EA79117E2514 |archive-date=November 16, 2021 |access-date=April 7, 2022 |website=Journal of Plasma Physics}}</ref>. An article on the thruster<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 29, 2022 |title=Solar flare-style rocket thruster ‘could send astronauts to outer solar system’ |url=https://www.imeche.org/news/news-article/solar-flare-style-rocket-thruster-could-send-astronauts-to-outer-solar-system |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118094020/https://www.imeche.org/news/news-article/solar-flare-style-rocket-thruster-could-send-astronauts-to-outer-solar-system |archive-date=January 18, 2022 |access-date=April 7, 2022 |website=Institution of Mechanical Engineers}}</ref> was the most read aerospace story on the [[Institution of Mechanical Engineers]] website in 2021<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 21, 2021 |title=The 5 most-read aerospace stories of 2021 |url=https://www.imeche.org/news/news-article/the-5-most-read-aerospace-stories-of-2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220110112335/https://www.imeche.org/news/news-article/the-5-most-read-aerospace-stories-of-2021 |archive-date=January 10, 2022 |access-date=April 7, 2022 |website=Institution of Mechanical Engineers}}</ref>. Princeton University has a patent pending on the thruster technology<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=November 2, 2021 |title=Fatima Ebrahimi: A rocket thruster that could take humans to Mars and beyond |url=https://innovation.princeton.edu/news/2021/fatima-ebrahimi-rocket-thruster-could-take-humans-mars-and-beyond |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211216155722/https://innovation.princeton.edu/news/2021/fatima-ebrahimi-rocket-thruster-could-take-humans-mars-and-beyond |archive-date=December 16, 2021 |access-date=April 7, 2022 |website=Princeton Innovation}}</ref>, which has been described as "it may come to be known as the Ebrahimi Drive – an engine inspired by fusion reactors and the incredible power of solar Coronal Mass Ejections"<ref name=":1" />. Ebrahimi has also done research on the [[magnetorotational instability]] and demonstrated in global simulations its importance for the [[Dynamo theory|dynamo]] of astrophysical disks<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ebrahimi |first=Fatima |date=May 19, 2009 |title=Saturation Of Magnetorotational Instability Through Magnetic Field Generation |url=https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/0004-637X/698/1/233/meta |url-status=live |access-date=April 7, 2022 |website=The Astrophysical Journal}}</ref> and for plasmoid reconnection<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rosenberg |first=Jarrett |date=October 14, 2021 |title=Onset of Plasmoid Reconnection during Magnetorotational Instability |url=https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/2041-8213/ac2b2e/meta |url-status=live |access-date=April 7, 2022 |website=The Astrophysical Journal Letters}}</ref>.
+Ebrahimi's most notable contribution to science has been her research on how plasmoids (plasma objects enclosed by magnetic fields) can be used to create the initial plasma current in compact [[Spherical tokamak|spherical tokamaks]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rosen |first=Raphael |date=June 1, 2015 |title=Giant structures called plasmoids could simplify design of future tokamaks |url=https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/06/150601172838.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190407210419/https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/06/150601172838.htm |archive-date=April 7, 2019 |access-date=April 7, 2022 |website=Science Daily}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=May 31, 2016 |title=Physicists conduct experiments indicating efficiency of fusion start-up technique |url=https://phys.org/news/2016-05-physicists-indicating-efficiency-fusion-start-up.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201129175719/https://phys.org/news/2016-05-physicists-indicating-efficiency-fusion-start-up.html |archive-date=November 29, 2020 |access-date=April 7, 2022 |website=phys.org}}</ref> and produce thrust for [[Spacecraft propulsion|space propulsion]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Delbert |first=Caroline |date=February 2, 2021 |title=The Unusual Rocket Thruster That Will Send Humans to Mars |url=https://www.popularmechanics.com/space/rockets/a35393411/magnetic-rocket-thruster-spaceflight-mars/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220402100213/https://www.popularmechanics.com/space/rockets/a35393411/magnetic-rocket-thruster-spaceflight-mars/ |archive-date=April 2, 2022 |access-date=April 7, 2022 |website=Popular Mechanics}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Cimone |first=Matthew |date=February 9, 2021 |title=Plasma Thruster Could Dramatically Cut Down Flight Times to the Outer Solar System |url=https://www.universetoday.com/150066/plasma-thruster-could-dramatically-cut-down-flight-times-to-the-outer-solar-system/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211115061246/https://www.universetoday.com/150066/plasma-thruster-could-dramatically-cut-down-flight-times-to-the-outer-solar-system/ |archive-date=November 15, 2021 |access-date=April 7, 2022 |website=Universe Today}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Szondy |first=David |date=January 31, 2021 |title=New magnetic rocket thruster concept could propel astronauts to Mars |url=https://newatlas.com/space/magnetic-reconnection-rocket-thruster-concept-spaceflight-mars/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210512153722/https://newatlas.com/space/magnetic-reconnection-rocket-thruster-concept-spaceflight-mars/ |archive-date=May 12, 2021 |access-date=April 7, 2022 |website=New Atlas}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Banerjee |first=Krishnendu |date=January 30, 2021 |title=Scientist Develops New Fusion Rocket that Could Take Humans to Mars in Short Time |url=https://www.ibtimes.sg/scientist-develop-new-fusion-rocket-that-could-take-humans-mars-short-time-55247 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210630064858/https://www.ibtimes.sg/scientist-develop-new-fusion-rocket-that-could-take-humans-mars-short-time-55247 |archive-date=June 30, 2021 |access-date=April 7, 2022 |website=International Business Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Houser |first=Kristin |date=February 3, 2021 |title=Nuclear fusion inspires new rocket thruster design |url=https://www.freethink.com/space/rocket-thruster |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210710115111/https://www.freethink.com/space/rocket-thruster |archive-date=July 10, 2021 |access-date=April 7, 2022 |website=Freethink}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=February 11, 2021 |title=How Dr. Fatima Ebrahimi is Geting Humans a Faster Ticket to Mars |url=https://www.energy.gov/articles/how-dr-fatima-ebrahimi-geting-humans-faster-ticket-mars |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210311060534/https://www.energy.gov/articles/how-dr-fatima-ebrahimi-geting-humans-faster-ticket-mars |archive-date=March 11, 2021 |access-date=April 7, 2022 |website=Energy.gov}}</ref>. Her proposed electromagnetic [[Plasma propulsion engine|plasma thruster]] utilizes [[magnetic reconnection]] for magnetic-to-kinetic energy conversion, emulating the physical mechanism that generates solar flares<ref name=":2" />. Simulations on [[National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center|NERSC]] supercomputers<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 30, 2021 |title=NERSC Aids Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory in Plasma Rocket Breakthrough |url=https://www.hpcwire.com/off-the-wire/nersc-aids-princeton-plasma-physics-laboratory-in-plasma-rocket-breakthrough/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210331120754/https://www.hpcwire.com/off-the-wire/nersc-aids-princeton-plasma-physics-laboratory-in-plasma-rocket-breakthrough/ |archive-date=March 31, 2021 |access-date=April 7, 2022 |website=HPCwire}}</ref> demonstrated that thrust is generated by expulsion of continuously created plasmoids, when [[magnetic helicity]] is injected into an annular thruster channel<ref name=":3" />. The scientific article where her reconnecting plasmoid thruster concept was introduced has over 11,000 full-text views and has been covered by 38 news outlets<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Ebrahimi |first=Fatima |date=December 21, 2020 |title=An Alfvenic reconnecting plasmoid thruster |url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-plasma-physics/article/an-alfvenic-reconnecting-plasmoid-thruster/F296E45CC504E8FF2586EA79117E2514 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211116071801/https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-plasma-physics/article/an-alfvenic-reconnecting-plasmoid-thruster/F296E45CC504E8FF2586EA79117E2514 |archive-date=November 16, 2021 |access-date=April 7, 2022 |website=Journal of Plasma Physics}}</ref>. An article on the thruster<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 29, 2022 |title=Solar flare-style rocket thruster ‘could send astronauts to outer solar system’ |url=https://www.imeche.org/news/news-article/solar-flare-style-rocket-thruster-could-send-astronauts-to-outer-solar-system |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118094020/https://www.imeche.org/news/news-article/solar-flare-style-rocket-thruster-could-send-astronauts-to-outer-solar-system |archive-date=January 18, 2022 |access-date=April 7, 2022 |website=Institution of Mechanical Engineers}}</ref> was the most read aerospace story on the [[Institution of Mechanical Engineers]] website in 2021<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 21, 2021 |title=The 5 most-read aerospace stories of 2021 |url=https://www.imeche.org/news/news-article/the-5-most-read-aerospace-stories-of-2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220110112335/https://www.imeche.org/news/news-article/the-5-most-read-aerospace-stories-of-2021 |archive-date=January 10, 2022 |access-date=April 7, 2022 |website=Institution of Mechanical Engineers}}</ref>. Princeton University has a patent pending on the thruster technology<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=November 2, 2021 |title=Fatima Ebrahimi: A rocket thruster that could take humans to Mars and beyond |url=https://innovation.princeton.edu/news/2021/fatima-ebrahimi-rocket-thruster-could-take-humans-mars-and-beyond |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211216155722/https://innovation.princeton.edu/news/2021/fatima-ebrahimi-rocket-thruster-could-take-humans-mars-and-beyond |archive-date=December 16, 2021 |access-date=April 7, 2022 |website=Princeton Innovation}}</ref>, which has been described as "it may come to be known as the Ebrahimi Drive – an engine inspired by fusion reactors and the incredible power of solar Coronal Mass Ejections"<ref name=":1" />. Ebrahimi has also done research on the [[magnetorotational instability]] and demonstrated in global simulations its importance for the [[Dynamo theory|dynamo]] of astrophysical disks<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ebrahimi |first=Fatima |date=May 19, 2009 |title=Saturation Of Magnetorotational Instability Through Magnetic Field Generation |url=https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/0004-637X/698/1/233/meta |url-status=live |access-date=April 7, 2022 |website=The Astrophysical Journal}}</ref> and for plasmoid reconnection<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rosenberg |first=Jarrett |date=October 14, 2021 |title=Onset of Plasmoid Reconnection during Magnetorotational Instability |url=https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/2041-8213/ac2b2e/meta |url-status=live |access-date=April 7, 2022 |website=The Astrophysical Journal Letters}}</ref>.
 == References ==