An international research team led by the U.S. Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) has published the latest findings in Nuclear Materials and Energy, systematically analyzing the impact of lithium coatings on fusion fuel retention in tokamak devices. This collaborative study involving nine research institutions found that fuel retention primarily results from the co-deposition process between lithium and fuel.

The study compared two lithium application methods and discovered that injecting lithium powder during plasma operation promotes fuel retention more than pre-coating lithium layers. PPPL researcher Florian Effenberg noted: "Lithium materials can enhance plasma stability, but application methods need optimization to reduce fuel loss." The experiments used the DIII-D tokamak device, employing deuterium as a substitute for tritium in testing.

Dr. Maria Morbey, a PhD student from DIFFER in the Netherlands, stated: "The next step will be to study fuel retention characteristics in the liquid lithium state, which is closer to the actual operating conditions of future fusion power plants." This research provides important evidence for designing more efficient fuel recovery systems and holds significant implications for achieving sustainable fusion energy.