Scientists have achieved a major breakthrough in nuclear fusion, a technology that could one day provide virtually limitless clean energy. Researchers at a U.S. laboratory managed to produce more energy from a fusion reaction than was used to trigger it, a first in the field. This milestone brings fusion energy closer to becoming a viable alternative to fossil fuels, which contribute to climate change. Unlike current nuclear power plants that rely on fission (splitting atoms), fusion works by combining light atoms like hydrogen, mimicking the process that powers the sun.
While fusion has been seen as the “holy grail” of energy for decades, its potential as a reliable, clean, and safe source of power has always seemed just out of reach. The latest development has reignited hope that the technology could be commercialized within a few decades. However, significant technical and financial hurdles remain before fusion reactors can become commonplace. Governments and private companies are ramping up investment in the field, seeing fusion as a critical tool in combating global warming and securing energy independence.
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