Science & Nature

The Fusion Moment

After 70 Years of Promises, Is Nuclear Fusion Finally Within Reach?

Henrik Larsen

Plasma physicist at the Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics, working on magnetic confinement fusion research.

February 28, 2026·7 min read

The Fusion Moment

In December 2022, scientists at the National Ignition Facility achieved fusion ignition for the first time — producing more energy from a fusion reaction than the laser energy used to trigger it. The milestone was celebrated as a historic breakthrough, but the path from laboratory demonstration to commercial fusion power remains long and uncertain.

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nuclear fusionenergyITERclimatephysics

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