Originally published on October 8, 2013<br /><br />Researchers at the National Ignition Facility (NIF) lab in California have reached a key milestone in the search for self-sustaining nuclear fusion.<br /><br />Fusion is the process that powers the sun. It is seen by scientists as the holy grail of energy production as it promises a cheap, unlimited source of energy.<br /><br />During an experiment in September at NIF - which is located at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory - the amount of energy released by the fusion reaction exceeded the energy absorbed by the fuel. A first for one of several projects around the world aimed at harnessing fusion.<br /><br />The National Ignition Facility's fusion experiment employs a 10mm long target container known as a hohlraum. Inside the hohlraum is a fuel pellet containing deuterium-tritium.<br /><br />The hohlraum is then placed inside a cryogenically-cooled holder that keeps it at a steady temperature of 18 degrees kelvin.<br /><br />The process at NIF sees 192 powerful laser beams converge inside the hohlraum generating a bath of x-rays. The x-rays cause the tiny target sphere to implode and ignite a controlled, self-sustaining fusion reaction.<br /><br />The success of the experiment brings the goal of fusion one step closer, although inefficiencies mean that some of the laser energy is lost in the process.<br /><br />But this achievement has been described as the single most meaningful step for fusion in the half century race to bring the much coveted process closer to reality.<br /><br />--------------------------------------------------------<br /><br />TomoNews is your daily source for top animated news. We've combined animation and video footage with a snarky personality to bring you the biggest and best stories from around the world.<br /><br />For news that's fun and never boring, visit our channel:<br />https://www.youtube.com/user/TomoNewsUS<br /><br />Subscribe to stay updated on all the top stories:<br />http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=TomoNewsUS<br /><br />Stay connected with us here:<br />Facebook http://www.facebook.com/TomoN
