While Tokamaks have gathered a lot of attention, one alternative approach is the stellarator [1]. It attempts to solve plasma drift problems with a twisted torus design, potentially allowing continuous operation. Although overshadowed by Tokamak research, advancements in stellarators could provide valuable insights into plasma stability and containment.
Separately, in the 1960s scientists developed the plasma focus device [2], which, instead of trying to suppress plasma instabilities, sought to exploit them to compress energy. This approach, though less mainstream, could offer alternative methods for achieving fusion.
Finally, research into deuterium-tritium (DT) fuel has dominated, but DT has drawbacks, like neutron production and associated radioactive waste. Since the 60s, there's been knowledge of aneutronic fusion reactions [3] (like hydrogen-boron or pB11) that produce no or few neutrons. These require higher temperatures but offer advantages for cleaner energy. However, research in this area has been minimal.
Separately, in the 1960s scientists developed the plasma focus device [2], which, instead of trying to suppress plasma instabilities, sought to exploit them to compress energy. This approach, though less mainstream, could offer alternative methods for achieving fusion.
Finally, research into deuterium-tritium (DT) fuel has dominated, but DT has drawbacks, like neutron production and associated radioactive waste. Since the 60s, there's been knowledge of aneutronic fusion reactions [3] (like hydrogen-boron or pB11) that produce no or few neutrons. These require higher temperatures but offer advantages for cleaner energy. However, research in this area has been minimal.
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stellarator [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dense_plasma_focus [3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aneutronic_fusion