Big Red Plasma Ball (IMAGE) University of Wisconsin-Madison Caption Cary Forest, a professor of physics and lead researcher for the new Wisconsin Plasma Physics Laboratory (WiPPL), stands next to the Big Red Plasma Ball in Sterling Hall. The Big Red Plasma Ball is one of several WiPPL-managed pieces of scientific equipment being used to study the fundamental properties of plasma in order to better understand the universe. Credit Jeff Miller Usage Restrictions None License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.