Z machine makes progress toward nuclear fusion

Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, New Mexico, using the lab’s Z machine, a colossal electric pulse generator capable of producing currents of tens of millions of amperes, say they have detected significant numbers of neutrons—byproducts of fusion reactions—coming from the experiment. This, they say, demonstrates the viability of their approach and marks progress toward the ultimate goal of producing more energy than the fusion device takes in.

We’ve been 10 years away for 50 years now, but this time it might be true. There are three projects that all show promise of huge returns. If this works out we are looking at a 100x improvement in generating electric power.