WASHINGTON: The US Department of Energy Sunday said it would announce a “major scientific breakthrough” this week, after media reports a federal lab had recently reached a major milestone in nuclear fusion research. .
The Financial Times reported on Sunday that scientists in California are based in Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) achieved a “net energy gain” from an experimental fusion reactor.
That would mark the first time that researchers have successfully produced more energy in a fusion reaction — the same kind that powers the Sun — than is consumed in the process, an important step. potential importance in the pursuit of carbon-free energy.
A spokesman for the Department of Energy and LLNL told AFP they could not comment or provide confirmation of the FT’s report, but said US Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm will “announce a major scientific breakthrough” on Tuesday.
A spokesperson for LLNL added that “their analysis is still ongoing.”
“We look forward to sharing more on Tuesday when that process is complete,” she said.
The FT said the fusion reaction that produces a net energy gain of 120% has occurred in the past two weeks, citing three people with knowledge of the preliminary results.
The Washington Post later reported two people familiar with the research confirmed the development, with one senior fusion scientist telling the paper, “For most of us, this is just a matter of time.”
Nuclear fusion is seen by some scientists as the potential energy of the future, especially because it produces little waste and no greenhouse gases.
“If this fusion power breakthrough is true, it could be a game changer for the world,” tweeted Ted Lieua member of Conference from California.
Fusion is different from fission, the technique currently used in nuclear power plants, by fusing two atomic nuclei instead of splitting one.
The LLNL fusion facility consists of nearly 200 lasers the size of three football fields, which bombard a small spot with high energy levels to initiate a fusion reaction.
The Financial Times reported on Sunday that scientists in California are based in Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) achieved a “net energy gain” from an experimental fusion reactor.
That would mark the first time that researchers have successfully produced more energy in a fusion reaction — the same kind that powers the Sun — than is consumed in the process, an important step. potential importance in the pursuit of carbon-free energy.
A spokesman for the Department of Energy and LLNL told AFP they could not comment or provide confirmation of the FT’s report, but said US Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm will “announce a major scientific breakthrough” on Tuesday.
A spokesperson for LLNL added that “their analysis is still ongoing.”
“We look forward to sharing more on Tuesday when that process is complete,” she said.
The FT said the fusion reaction that produces a net energy gain of 120% has occurred in the past two weeks, citing three people with knowledge of the preliminary results.
The Washington Post later reported two people familiar with the research confirmed the development, with one senior fusion scientist telling the paper, “For most of us, this is just a matter of time.”
Nuclear fusion is seen by some scientists as the potential energy of the future, especially because it produces little waste and no greenhouse gases.
“If this fusion power breakthrough is true, it could be a game changer for the world,” tweeted Ted Lieua member of Conference from California.
Fusion is different from fission, the technique currently used in nuclear power plants, by fusing two atomic nuclei instead of splitting one.
The LLNL fusion facility consists of nearly 200 lasers the size of three football fields, which bombard a small spot with high energy levels to initiate a fusion reaction.
