ENDLESS energy with next to no radioactive waste? Fusion power will always
sound too good to be true. And yet after two years of gloom, the sun is shining
on the idea. In 1999, the US pulled out of the ambitious international project
known as ITER—designed to generate usable energy by squeezing atomic
nuclei together—claiming it had too many technical problems and cost too
much. But last month the President’s science adviser said the US should think
again. Why the change of heart? One reason is a spate of promising findings from
other fusion projects
(see “Here comes…
To continue reading, subscribe today with our introductory offers
Advertisement
More from New Scientist
Explore the latest news, articles and features

Physics
Achieving nuclear fusion would be building on the shoulders of giants
Comment

Technology
Biggest science news stories of 2022 as chosen by New Scientist
News

Physics
Nuclear fusion reactions create unexpectedly high-energy particles
News

Physics
Can a slew of nuclear fusion start-ups deliver unlimited clean energy?
Features
Popular articles
Trending New Scientist articles