The future of fusion is Low Energy Nuclear Reactions.
https://freerepublic.com/tag/lenr/index?tab=articles
Maybe, but things we learn from the hot side can help with the cold side.
Answer might even be a combination of the two domains. Fusion of fusion. Who knows?
I wonder if they get out 10 Kton of TNT energy, which is greater than the 1.9 MJ, would be deemed a success.