The California Institute of Technology (Caltech) received a three-year, $750,000 Project Grant award from the National Science Foundation (NSF) Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences to determine how plasma spontaneously develops localized hot spots that radiate x-rays and produce related dramatic phenomena. The award supports research from June 2021 through May 2024 under the NSF's Mathematical and Physical Sciences program (CFDA 47.049), which aims to strengthen the nation's scientific enterprise through increased understanding of major problems. Specifically, Caltech researchers will investigate how plasma self-organizes on small scales to generate intense bursts of energy release, with the goal of advancing fundamental plasma physics. The award provides $750,000 in funding for Caltech to conduct the proposed research project over the three-year period.