To combat tungsten sputtering in tokamaks, researchers have developed a method using boron powder to protect the plasma, demonstrated effectively in global experiments and supported by new computer modeling. Credit: SciTechDaily.com ============================================================================ Tungsten, the preferred material for tokamak fusion reactors, poses challenges due to sputtering that cools plasma, making fusion hard to sustain. Researchers at PPPL suggest that sprinkling boron powder into tokamaks could prevent this by shielding walls and preventing tungsten entry into the plasma. Recent experiments across global tokamaks and a new computer model support the potential of boron powder in maintaining optimal plasma conditions for fusion. Tungsten...