Part 5/9:
Despite promising advancements, the challenges of constructing the first-wall—the interface between the plasma and reactor materials—remains daunting. The first-wall must withstand extreme temperatures and energetic particle bombardment while remaining efficient enough to manage the resulting heat for energy production.
Materials for the First-Wall
Currently, tungsten is a preferred material for the wall of fusion reactors due to its high melting point and durability against bombardment, though it exhibits significant challenges regarding plasma stability. Traditional issues like sputtering—where wall materials get ejected into the plasma—can disrupt fusion by contaminating the plasma and causing energy loss.