It’s Getting Hot in Herre

☀️ Why it's a big deal… The achievement brings scientists one step closer to the holy grail of energy production – nuclear fusion, which promises immense amounts of clean energy without the Chernobyl downside. It's how the sun generates 100% of its power, so, as you can imagine, fusion only occurs at ridiculously high temperatures.

⚡ The big picture: Replicating the immense power generated by stars is no simple task. In recent years, investors have poured money into projects, attempting to build the first commercially relevant fusion reactor that produces more energy than it takes to run, which is currently one of the technology's biggest limitations.

• But last month, MIT spin-off Commonwealth Fusion Systems closed a $1.8 billion funding round to construct and operate a reactor that can produce net-positive energy. The startup's approach incorporates the world's most powerful magnet, and their claim has been corroborated by seven peer-reviewed research papers.