For the second time since December 2022, scientists at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) in California have achieved net energy gain in a fusion reaction. The announcement was a significant step forward in the long-sought objective of harnessing fusion power.
Researchers utilized lasers to fuse two light atoms into a denser one, releasing energy, at the National Ignition Facility (NIF).
After the laser delivered 2.05 megajoules to the target, this process, known as fusion ignition, produced an energy output of 3.15 megajoules. In layman’s terms, the experiment generated more energy than it consumed, a feat that has eluded fusion researchers for decades.
On December 5, 2022, LLNL scientists demonstrated a net energy gain in a fusion experiment employing lasers, resulting in the first successful fusion ignition.
The US Department of Energy praised this historic feat as a “major scientific breakthrough decades in the making,” setting the path for breakthroughs in national defense and the future of clean power.
Scientists have been interested in fusion technology, which drives the sun and stars, for than a century due to its potential to generate massive amounts of clean energy. Unlike nuclear fission, which splits atoms to produce energy and produces radioactive waste, fusion unites atoms to produce energy without the production of toxic byproducts or the risk of meltdown. Furthermore, fusion fuel is plentiful and easily available, as it may be found in saltwater.
While this new breakthrough is an important step forward in fusion research, scientists warn that there is still a long way to go before fusion power can be commercially practical. Due to the necessity to cool the lasers and replace the fuel target, the current studies can only be carried out once a day. This process would have to be repeated numerous times per second in order for a commercially viable fusion plant to be viable.
Despite these obstacles, the recurring achievement of net energy gain in fusion reactions puts us one step closer to attaining the promise of endless, clean energy. As research advances, it is hoped that fusion power will play an important role in mitigating climate change and powering our future.
