Advancements in Tokamak Technology for Fusion Energy: A Bibliometric and Patent Trend Analysis (2014–2024)

Horng Jinh Chang and Shih Wei Wang ()
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Horng Jinh Chang: Tamsui Campus, Tamkang University, New Taipei City 251301, Taiwan
Shih Wei Wang: Management of Sciences, Tamkang University, New Taipei City 251301, Taiwan

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 16, 1-36

Abstract: Tokamak technology, as the cornerstone of nuclear fusion energy, holds immense potential in achieving efficient plasma confinement and high energy densities. To comprehensively map the rapidly evolving landscape of this field, this study employs bibliometric analysis to systematically examine the research and development trends of tokamak technology from 2014 to 2024. The data are drawn from 7702 academic publications in the Scopus database, representing a global research effort. Additionally, the study incorporates 2299 tokamak-related patents from Google Patents over the same period, analyzing their technological trends to highlight the growing significance of tokamak devices. Using the R language and the Bibliometric package, the analysis explores research hotspots, institutional influences, and keyword evolution. The results reveal a multifaceted global landscape: China leads in publication output, and the United States maintains a leading role in citation impacts and technological innovation, with other notable contributions from Germany, Japan, South Korea, and various European countries. Patent trend analysis further reveals the rapid expansion of tokamak applications, particularly with significant innovations in high-temperature superconducting magnets and plasma control technologies. Nevertheless, the study identifies major challenges in the commercialization process, including plasma stability control, material durability, and the sustainability of long-term operations. To address these, the study proposes concrete future directions, emphasizing international collaboration and interdisciplinary integration. These efforts are crucial in accelerating tokamak commercialization, thereby providing a strategic roadmap for researchers, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to advance the global deployment of clean energy solutions.

Keywords: tokamak; spherical tokamak; ITER; SPARC; plasma confinement in tokamak; superconducting magnets in tokamak; plasma control in tokamak (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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