Free Republic

Scientists have researched fusion since the 1950s. The Energy Department is expected to announce Tuesday that scientists have reached a breakthrough in nuclear fusion in their quest to produce a technology to provide clean, unlimited and affordable power. Scientists have researched fusion since the 1950s, and the Biden administration is likely to affirm the massive, decades-long investment, according to the Washington Post reported. "To most of us, this was only a matter of time," a senior fusion scientist told the newspaper. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm is expected to make the announcement Tuesday at a media event her department is promoting...

The August test actually generated more energy than scientists predicted, and damaged some equipment. Using the world's largest laser, consisting of 192 beams and temperatures more than three times hotter than the center of the sun One adjustment that helped: Researchers made the fuel capsule about 10 percent bigger and now it's up to the size of a ball bearing. That capsule fits in a tiny gold metal can that researchers aim 192 lasers at. They heat it to about 100 million degrees, creating about 50 percent more pressure inside the capsule than what's inside the center of the sun....

The Department of Energy plans to announce Tuesday that scientists have been able for the first time to produce a fusion reaction that creates a net energy gain...It comes as the Biden administration is prioritizing fusion energy research in its climate and energy agenda.

The Department of Energy plans to announce Tuesday that scientists have been able for the first time to produce a fusion reaction that creates a net energy gain — a major milestone in the decades-long, multibillion dollar quest to develop a technology that provides unlimited, cheap, clean power. The aim of fusion research is to replicate the nuclear reaction through which energy is created on the sun. It is a “holy grail” of carbon-free power that scientists have been chasing since the 1950s. It is still at least a decade — maybe decades — away from commercial use, but the...