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U.S. Officials Set to Announce Fusion Energy Breakthrough

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U.S. scientists reportedly have carried out the first nuclear fusion experiment to achieve a net energy gain. The Dept. of Energy (DOE) is expected to
announce the breakthrough on Dec. 13, according to news reports late Sunday.

The nuclear power industry has pursued fusion technology for decades, with a renewed emphasis for those efforts in recent years as scientists have turned their attention to finding a zero-emission renewable energy source to replace fossil fuels.

Industry experts have chased the promise of fusion since the 1950s, with research to replicate the nuclear reaction that creates energy on the sun. Fusion has been called the "holy grail" of energy, with billions of dollars spent worldwide by both governments and private enterprise to manufacture fusion equipment that could provide unlimited electricity with no carbon footprint.

A senior fusion scientist said to be familiar with the work at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California—where the milestone was reached—told The Washington Post: "To most of us, this was only a matter of time."

The laboratory on Sunday did confirm that a successful experiment had recently occurred at its National Ignition Facility, saying in a statement, "Initial diagnostic data suggests another successful experiment at the National Ignition Facility. However, the exact yield is still being determined and we can't confirm that it is over the threshold at this time. That analysis is in process, so publishing the information . . . before that process is complete would be inaccurate."

Tuesday's announcement…
Darrell Proctor
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