US researchers announced a historic nuclear fusion breakthrough, hailing a "landmark achievement" in the quest for a source of unlimited, clean power and an end to reliance on fossil fuels.
This nuclear fusion breakthrough could provide unlimited clean energy and aid in the fight against climate change.
The Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) said it had used the world's largest laser to create, for the first time, a fusion reaction that replicated the process that powers the sun and generated more energy than it took to produce -- a goal pursued by scientists for decades.
Nuclear fusion has been touted by its supporters as a clean, abundant and safe source of energy that could eventually allow humanity to break its dependence on coal, crude oil, natural gas and other hydrocarbons driving a global climate crisis.
Officials have pointed out that this achievement will pave the way for progress in national defense and a clean energy future.
In a press conference in Washington, US Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm called it a historic achievement. White House science adviser Aarti Prabhakar said it was an amazing example of an engineering marvel beyond belief.
