--- title: "Physicists Say New Breakthrough Proves Fusion Power Is Possible" description: "Researchers at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory claim to have generated more energy with a fusion reaction than was needed to start it." date: "2022-12-13" modified: "2022-12-13" authors: - name: "Victor Tangermann" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/victor" url: "https://futurism.com/physicists-breakthrough-proves-fusion-power-possible" categories: - "Energy" - "Science & Energy" tags: - "fusion" - "fusion energy" --- # Physicists Say New Breakthrough Proves Fusion Power Is Possible ![Researchers at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory claim to have generated more energy with a fusion reaction than was needed to start it.]() *\Image: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory\* Researchers at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory [claim to have achieved]() the seemingly impossible: generate more energy with a fusion reaction than they put into it, potentially paving the way for a truly environmentally friendly and safe source of power. Their experiment, which involved using the "[world's largest and highest energy laser system]()" at Livermore's National Ignition Facility to blast light at small capsules of deuterium-tritium fuel, generated 20 percent more energy than the amount required to power the system. Despite the modest energy output β€” the system generated enough power to boil [around two to three kettles]() β€” the researchers are boldly predicting that it could represent a major turning point in the quest to turn fusion energy into a reality. "The fact that we were able to get more energy out than we put in provides an existence proof that this is possible," Mark Herrmann, program director for weapons physics and design at Livermore, [told *The New York Times*](). "It can be built on and improved upon and made better and could potentially be a source of energy in the future." A net energy gain represents a milestone that has long been seen as the "[holy grail]()" in fusion energy over its many quixotic decades. Engineers have tested [many different]() [fusion reactor designs]() over the years, but always needed more energy to kickstart the process than they were able to get out of it β€” until now, the Livermore scientists say. But there's still plenty of work left to do before we can start replacing coal, gas, and nuclear power plants. For one, we still don't know if the technology can be feasibly scaled up to power an entire grid, researchers caution. "To go from there to actually energy on the grid is a very long and difficult path," Riccardo Betti, chief scientist of the Laboratory for Laser Energetics at the University of Rochester, who was not involved in the experiments, told the *NYT*. The promises of fusion power are vast: not only is it emissions-free, but it doesn't run the risk of causing a nuclear meltdown, either. Despite the long road ahead, experts are seeing the latest experiment as an important step forward and a reason to be optimistic about the future of fusion energy. "It took not just one generation but generations of people pursuing this goal," White House science adviser Arati Prabhakar said in a [statement](). "It's a scientific milestone." "It’s also an engineering marvel beyond belief," he added. **READ MORE:** [Scientists Achieve Nuclear Fusion Breakthrough With Blast of 192 Lasers]() \[*The New York Times*\] **More on fusion:** *[Fusion Scientists Claim Net Energy Gain, in Potentially Huge Breakthrough]()* ## Author I've been at Futurism since 2017, where my role has evolved to encompass design, writing, and increasingly editing. I've always been fascinated by space exploration and advanced transportation, which I've leaned into by interviewing luminaries in those fields while closely following the dimensions of policy and regulation that allow next-generation projects to succeed -- or, sometimes, to fail. I'm also keenly interested in the effects of generative AI on society, policies, and democratic institutions, as well as clean energy, physics and biology, and the vagaries of tech leadership. My work for Futurism has been cited by publications including Ars Technica, Gizmodo, PC Magazine, Jalopnik, Fox News, and the New York Post. I spent my childhood living in locations including Manila, the Philippines, and Geneva, Switzerland, attended McGill University, and now live in Toronto, Canada. Before Futurism I worked at AskMen and a small photography studio. In my free time, I'm an avid gardener, foodie, and craft beer lover, as well as a maker of artisanal hot pepper sauces. I have a magnificent dog named Freida. ### Author social links [Bluesky]()