It’s still a ways away, but a major source of carbon-free fuel may be on its way to help the planet in the battle with climate change.

Successful fusion has been achieved in laboratory experiments, but it has not yet been developed into a commercially viable energy source. Fusion is the process of combining the nuclei of two atoms to form a heavier nucleus, which releases energy in the form of light and heat. This is the same process that powers the sun and other stars.

In laboratory experiments, scientists have successfully achieved fusion by using powerful lasers or magnetic fields to heat and compress a small amount of hydrogen gas to extremely high temperatures and pressures. When the hydrogen nuclei are close enough together, they can overcome their natural repulsion and fuse together to form helium, releasing energy in the process.

However, achieving fusion on a large scale that is sustainable and economically viable remains a challenge. One of the biggest hurdles is the extremely high temperatures and pressures required to initiate and sustain fusion reactions, which can cause damage to the equipment and require a lot of energy to maintain. Additionally, there are still technical challenges to be overcome in terms of creating materials that can withstand the extreme conditions inside a fusion reactor.

Despite these challenges, research in fusion energy continues, and some experimental fusion reactors have shown promise in producing more energy than they consume. If successful, fusion energy could be a clean, safe, and virtually limitless source of energy for the world, with little to no greenhouse gas emissions or nuclear waste.