Science & Technology

Lockheed claims fusion energy breakthrough

By T.K. Randall
October 16, 2014

Image: Preamplifier at the National Ignition Facility in California
Credit: Damien Jemison / Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory / CC BY-SA 3.0 (adapted) Nuclear fusion has long been seen as the holy grail of energy generation technologies. Unlike traditional coal, oil or nuclear fission power plants a nuclear fusion reactor would be capable of producing near limitless amounts of electricity with little to no waste.

It's no surprise then that scientists have been attempting for years to produce a working nuclear fusion reactor and now US technology firm Lockheed Martin has announced that it has managed to do exactly that.Described as a 'technological breakthrough', the firm claims that it has developed a miniature 100MW fusion reactor that is so compact that it can fit in the back of a truck.

While a prototype has yet to be built, Lockheed believes that it will have one up and running within the next five years. If this technology turns out to be the real deal then it could revolutionize energy production, eradicate pollution and put an end to our current reliance on fossil fuels.

"We can make a big difference on the energy front," said project head Tom McGuire.

Source: The Guardian

Tags: Lockheed, Nuclear Fusion