US scientists have achieved net energy gain in a nuclear fusion reaction for the second time, building on a historic breakthrough from last December. The aim is to discover a nearly boundless, safe, and environmentally friendly energy source.
Researchers at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California have replicated the previous breakthrough. They conducted the experiment within the National Ignition Facility (NIF) on July 30, resulting in a higher energy yield compared to December. Although the final results are still under analysis, a Lawrence Livermore spokesperson confirmed the successful outcome.
Nuclear fusion involves the collision of light elements, like hydrogen, leading to the creation of heavier elements and releasing a substantial amount of energy. This process, which mirrors the energy generation in stars including the sun, holds significant promise as a sustainable, low-carbon energy solution.
Last December, the Lawrence Livermore team achieved a net energy gain in a fusion experiment utilizing lasers. During this experiment, they briefly achieved fusion ignition, generating 3.15 megajoules of energy output with a 2.05 megajoule laser delivery to the target, as detailed by the Energy Department.
In simpler terms, the energy produced from fusion surpassed the energy supplied by the laser – a significant achievement.
“Decades-in-the-making”
The US Department of Energy hailed this as a “decades-in-the-making” scientific milestone, which will have important implications for national defense and the advancement of clean energy.
The potential of nuclear fusion reaction energy offers the prospect of abundant and clean power. The reactions during fusion do not produce greenhouse gases or radioactive waste byproducts. Remarkably, a single kilogram of fusion fuel, consisting of heavy forms of hydrogen known as deuterium and tritium, can provide as much energy as 10 million kilograms of fossil fuel. Despite its potential, this achievement has been nearly 70 years in the making.
While scientists caution that this technology isn’t yet ready to be transformed into practical power plants and won’t single-handedly solve the climate crisis, they view these recent breakthroughs as indicators that humanity is capable of harnessing star-like energy on Earth.
