The report examines the status of research in low-temperature plasma science and engineering, high energy density plasma physics, plasma physics of magnetic fusion, space and astrophysical plasmas, and basic plasma science. The report identifies six physical processes that demonstrate the intellectual unity of plasma research. The report then makes recommendations to the U.S. government for improving the national effort in plasma science.

The report recommends that the U. S. Department of Energy Office of Science should expand the current scope of its Office of Fusion Energy Sciences (OFES) to include programs in "non-mission-driven high energy density plasma science" and in "low-temperature plasma science and engineering."

Like previous Academies studies, this study does not deal with the question of how best to develop a fusion power source for the Nation. Rather, it comments that, at some point in the future, the "fusion-energy development effort may move outside the Office of Science." The report then asks the question, "Who will then become the de-facto steward of plasma science?" The report then answers its own question by stating, "The committee concludes that the Office of Science would naturally fill this role."

The report can be downloaded in unedited, prepublication form from the following URL http://www7.nationalacademies.org/bpa/PLS2010.html.

A pdf copy of the Executive Summary and Overview is available from Fusion Power Associates.