There is a fusion startup called CT Fusion that has an innovation in this vein: [warning: not a plasma physicist, this is just what I understand from talking to

There is a fusion startup called CT Fusion that has an innovation in this vein: [warning: not a plasma physicist, this is just what I understand from talking to actual physics nerds who follow this] instead of using giant magnets for plasma confinement, they are using a continuously variable magnetic field that is provided by helical coils surrounding the plasma. By monitoring the shape of the surface of the plasma and varying the electrical input to the coils, playing whack-a-mole as you put it with the shape of the plasma.