With a blast of X-rays compressing a capsule of hydrogen to conditions approaching those at the center of the Sun, scientists from Sandia National Laboratories reported today that they had achieved thermonuclear fusion, in essence detonating a tiny hydrogen bomb.

Such controlled explosions would not be large enough to be dangerous and might offer an alternative way of generating electricity by harnessing fusion, the process that powers the Sun. Fusion combines hydrogen atoms into helium, producing bountiful energy as a byproduct.

View: Full Article | Source: New York Times

Excellent article j6p, although it still appears that we're years away, perhaps even decades, from a practical commercial fusion reactor.

Nice find J6 - I've added a couple of extra details and moved this post to the main news board, I think it's particularly worthy of a front page article.

Great find J6 !