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fusion physics
Trends
- 1Inside Sandia's Z machine: nuclear science meets clean energy▼Inside Sandia’s Z machine, where nuclear war meets clean energy
The Albuquerque Journal takes readers inside Sandia National Laboratories' Z machine in New Mexico, the world's most powerful pulsed-power facility. Originally built to study materials under nuclear weapons conditions, the device is now central to research on fusion energy, exploring how the same physics that powers warheads could one day deliver clean, abundant power.
- 2Physicists Argue Helion's Fusion Machine Cannot Work●Helion's Fusion Machine Cannot Work, Physicists Say
Helion Energy, the US fusion startup that has a deal to supply electricity to Microsoft, is facing sharp criticism from physicists who argue that its reactor design cannot work as claimed. The critique has drawn wide attention online, reopening debate about whether the company's pulsed, non-steam approach to fusion can realistically deliver power on its ambitious timeline, with supporters and sceptics clashing over the underlying physics.
- 3Princeton Plasma Physics Lab contract extended amid AI research push▼PPPL contract extended amidst AI research ventures, concerns over facility management
The US Department of Energy has extended its contract for the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, with the lab pursuing new ventures in artificial intelligence alongside its fusion research. The extension comes as concerns are raised about how the facility is being managed, with critics questioning whether operational oversight is keeping pace with the lab's expanding AI-driven research agenda.
- 4Lab-Developed Sensor Tech Aimed at Fusion Energy Markets▼Physics to Fusion: Collab Brings Lab-Developed Sensor Tech to Future Energy Markets | Newswise
A new collaboration is taking sensor technology developed in physics laboratories and adapting it for fusion energy applications. The partnership aims to move lab-proven diagnostic and measurement tools into commercial fusion markets as the sector works toward viable power generation. Details of the specific institutions involved and the extent of the partnership remain limited.
- 5Rafelski and Steinmetz publish new nuclear fusion paper●🎊🎉 New paper out: Rafelski, J.; Steinmetz, A.J. Science of Nuclear Fusion: Insights and Ideas. Particles 2026, 9, 94. do
Physicists Johann Rafelski and A.J. Steinmetz have published a new paper, 'Science of Nuclear Fusion: Insights and Ideas', in the journal Particles. The authors announce that all figures and data are openly available via arXiv and GitHub, reflecting a push for transparency in fusion research. The open release of underlying data is drawing attention from the nuclear physics community.
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Researchers at the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) in South Korea report a new method for measuring neutrons produced by laser-driven fusion reactions that does not rely on counting individual neutron events. The approach could make diagnostics for fusion experiments faster and more practical. Details of the technique and its accuracy have not been widely reported yet.
- 7AI Helps Solve Longstanding Fusion Physics Problem▼AI Helps Researcher Find Exact Solutions to a Longstanding Fusion Physics Problem
A researcher has found exact solutions to a longstanding problem in fusion physics with the help of artificial intelligence. The reported breakthrough suggests AI tools can contribute to fundamental theoretical work in plasma science, an area central to developing fusion energy. Details about the researcher, the specific problem, and the methods involved remain limited.
- 8Princeton Plasma Physics Lab contract extended amid AI research push▼PPPL contract extended amid AI research ventures, concerns over facility management
The Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory's management contract has been extended, coinciding with new ventures into artificial intelligence research. However, the extension comes alongside concerns about how the facility is being managed. The lab, a US Department of Energy facility operated by Princeton University, remains a focal point for fusion research as it expands its AI-related work while critics question facility oversight.