Brian has been a leader in the area of experimental plasma boundary and divertor physics in magnetic fusion devices since joining that nascent field as a graduate student in 1978. Boundary plasma physics plays a critical role in the performance of magnetic fusion devices – setting the power and particle flux densities to first wall surfaces, determining impurity levels in the plasma core, imposing boundary conditions for plasma flow and rotation, and participating in the formation of edge transport barriers, all of which ultimately determine the level of plasma energy confinement.

The scientific feasibility of energy production from plasma fusion will be demonstrated in ITER, yielding 10 times more power out than in. Yet, much more research is required, and new research facilities are needed, to identify and demonstrate robust solutions to power exhaust and plasma-material interaction challenges for electricity-producing fusion reactors. Ultimately, the success of these devices will come from assembling the knowledge base, developing the first-principles understanding and demonstrating the means to control boundary plasma phenomena.