---
title: "Scientists Have a New Idea to Make a Fusion Reactor Practical"
description: "Scientists are hoping a new upgrade at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) could finally make fusion a reality by coating the reactor in lithium."
date: "2019-05-03"
modified: "2019-05-03"
authors:
  - name: "Victor Tangermann"
    job_title: "Senior Editor"
    link: "https://futurism.com/authors/victor"
url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/scientists-fusion-reactor-lithium"
categories:
  - "Energy"
  - "Science & Energy"
tags:
  - "fusion"
  - "fusion energy"
  - "lithium"
  - "the digest"
---

# Scientists Have a New Idea to Make a Fusion Reactor Practical

![Scientists are hoping a new upgrade at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) could finally make fusion a reality by coating the reactor in lithium.](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/scientists-fusion-reactor-lithium.png>)
*\<em\>Image: Eye Steel Film via Flickr\</em\>*

## Lithium Upgrade

Scientists are hoping a new upgrade at U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) could finally make fusion power a reality — by harnessing the power of a silvery metal called lithium.

As part of the Lithium Tokamak Experiment, a team of researchers are coating the inside walls of the reactor with lithium, the same stuff in the batteries in a wide range of electronics, to ensure that plasma remains super hot and highly pressurized inside the reactor — important conditions to get a shot at generating power from the reaction.

## A Long Road Ahead

The researchers observed that the lithium covering the reactor's walls absorbed stray plasma particles and stopped them from bouncing back in, cooling down the reaction.

"The machine is now ready to exploit the full capability of the upgrade," said Phil Efthimion, head of PPPL's Plasma Science and Technology unit, in a [press release](<https://phys.org/news/2019-05-machine-lithium-fusion-earth.html>).

## Supa Hot Fire

Upcoming experiments will test if the upgraded reactor can maintain even hotter plasmas with stronger magnetic fields.

The fusion energy sector is really heating up as of late. [Many private companies](<https://futurism.com/the-byte/spacex-startups-fusion-energy-cheap>) are turning their attention towards achieving fusion energy as well.

**READ MORE:** [Machine set to see if lithium can help bring fusion to Earth](<https://phys.org/news/2019-05-machine-lithium-fusion-earth.html>) \[*Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory*\]

**More on energy:** *[SpaceX-Like Startups Think They Can Solve Fusion For Cheap](<https://futurism.com/the-byte/spacex-startups-fusion-energy-cheap>)*

## Author
I've been at Futurism since 2017, where my role has evolved to encompass design, writing, and increasingly editing. I've always been fascinated by space exploration and advanced transportation, which I've leaned into by interviewing luminaries in those fields while closely following the dimensions of policy and regulation that allow next-generation projects to succeed -- or, sometimes, to fail. I'm also keenly interested in the effects of generative AI on society, policies, and democratic institutions, as well as clean energy, physics and biology, and the vagaries of tech leadership. My work for Futurism has been cited by publications including Ars Technica, Gizmodo, PC Magazine, Jalopnik, Fox News, and the New York Post. I spent my childhood living in locations including Manila, the Philippines, and Geneva, Switzerland, attended McGill University, and now live in Toronto, Canada. Before Futurism I worked at AskMen and a small photography studio. In my free time, I'm an avid gardener, foodie, and craft beer lover, as well as a maker of artisanal hot pepper sauces. I have a magnificent dog named Freida.

### Author social links  
[Bluesky](<https://bsky.app/profile/vtanger.bsky.social>)