Private magnetic-confinement fusion ventures are achieving magnetic field strengths exceeding 20 Tesla, using high-temperature superconducting tapes. These magnet developments allow experimental reactors to operate at significantly reduced volumes while retaining necessary plasma confinement pressures.
Engineering Hurdles Remain
While magnetic containment shows steady progress, neutron management and structural material degradation under continuous plasma exposure remain significant engineering hurdles before grid-scale power generation becomes viable.