Is There a Fusion Reactor?

In a fusion process, two lighter atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, while releasing energy. Devices designed to harness this energy are known as fusion reactors. ... Research into fusion reactors began in the 1940s, but to date, no design has produced more fusion power output than the electrical power input.

Why are there no fusion reactors?

Normally, fusion is not possible because the strongly repulsive electrostatic forces between the positively charged nuclei prevent them from getting close enough together to collide and for fusion to occur. ... The nuclei can then fuse, causing a release of energy.

Is there a working fusion reactor?

After ITER, demonstration fusion power plants, or DEMOs are being planned to show that controlled nuclear fusion can generate net electrical power. ... Future fusion reactors will not produce high activity, long lived nuclear waste, and a meltdown at a fusion reactor is practically impossible.