Korea Institute of Fusion Energy (KIFE) and US Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) researchers have discovered ways to better control core plasma using boron powder, according to South Korea’s Ministry of Science & ICT. They found that injecting boron powder reduces tungsten impurities released from the inner walls of a fusion reactor. The joint research team confirmed that real-time boron powder injection can actively control the wall condition without interrupting plasma operation, forming a thin protective layer that suppresses tungsten particle release.
Tungsten is considered a key material for nuclear fusion facilities due to its high durability against heat. The heat resistance of the device’s inner wall must withstand ultra-high plasma temperatures exceeding 100m degrees Celsius. Tungsten is considered a prime candidate for the plasma-facing walls of next-generation fusion reactors, including the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) under construction in France.
The researchers conducted experiments using the Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research (KSTAR), which was built in 2007. In 2023, KSTAR replaced its core internal component, the divertor, with tungsten.
“By utilising domestic infrastructure, such as KSTAR, we plan to continue collecting research results that could lead to the acquisition of key technologies necessary for accelerating the realisation of nuclear fusion energy and related research,” the Ministry said.
Jung Taek-Ryeol, Director-General of the Ministry’s Future Energy, Convergence & Public Mission R&D Policy Bureau, said: “This achievement is a result of long-standing trust and collaboration between Korea and the US. We will continue to support research using domestic infrastructure like KSTAR to secure core technologies that accelerate the realisation of fusion energy…. We will actively support efforts to accelerate the materialisation of nuclear fusion energy and the acquisition of core technologies that will enable us to play a leading role in future fusion research.” The study results were published in the international academic journal Nuclear Fusion.
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