Faculty Directory

EDUCATION

• Ph.D., Astrophysical Sciences, Princeton University, 1978
• M.S./S.B., Physics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology,  1974

BACKGROUND

Professor Hassam received a B.S. and M.S. in physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1974 and a Ph.D. in astrophysical sciences from Princeton University in 1978.   He joined the University of Maryland faculty in 1978 and holds appointments in the Department of Physics and the Institute for Research in Electronics and Applied Physics.  

HONORS AND AWARDS

• President of the University Fusion Association (2003-2004)
• Center for Teaching Excellence Award (2001)
• Honorable mention for the Dean's Award for Excellence in Teaching, College of Computer, Mathematical, and Physical Sciences (1999)
• Fellow of the American Physical Society, Division of Plasma Physics (1991)
• Outstanding Teaching Award from the Department of Physics (1983)

Google Scholar

orcid.org/0000-0002-4456-7207

Research interests in fusion energy science and plasma physics. Particular emphasis on alternative approaches to fusion, dissipative magnetohydrodynamics, and flowing plasmas. Current research in theoretical plasma physics as applied to alternative approaches to fusion and investigations on the Maryland Centrifugal Experiment in IREAP. This experiment tests the basic principles underlying an alternative approach magnetic confinement scheme that utilizes centrifugal forces to augment magnetic confinement.

Areas of Expertise:  fusion plasmas, fusion science, ionospheric turbulence, magnetic confinement fusion,  magnetic reconnection, magnetically confined plasmas, magnetorotaional instability, magnetospheric turbulence, nonlinear plasma physics, plasma physics, space plasmas, stellarators, and thermoelectric energy.

• Centrifugally Confined Plasmas: An Alternative Approach to Fusion
• Maryland Controlled Fusion Research Program

He has authored or co-authored over 100 publications.

Book Chapter

Approaches to Magnetic Confinement for Fusion, in Plasma Physics Applied, edited by Crockett Grabbe (Transworld Research Network, 2006), Chap. 7.