The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) have announced a significant breakthrough in fusion energy research at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL). On December 5, the team at LLNL's National Ignition Facility (NIF) achieved fusion ignition, producing more energy from fusion than was used to initiate it. This marks the first time in history that such an achievement has been made, providing new capabilities for national defense and insights into clean energy possibilities.
U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm praised the accomplishment: "This is a landmark achievement for the researchers and staff at the National Ignition Facility who have dedicated their careers to seeing fusion ignition become a reality."
Dr. Arati Prabhakar, President Biden’s Chief Advisor for Science and Technology, noted, "Today’s milestone shows what we can do with perseverance."
Jill Hruby, NNSA Administrator, acknowledged support from Congress and emphasized collaboration: "Our team from around the DOE national laboratories and our international partners have shown us the power of collaboration."
LLNL Director Dr. Kim Budil reflected on decades of work leading to this point: "Crossing this threshold is the vision that has driven 60 years of dedicated pursuit."
Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer highlighted future funding efforts: "I’ve helped to secure...over $624 million this year in the National Defense Authorization Act for the ICF program."
California Senator Dianne Feinstein congratulated LLNL on their success: "I congratulate the team at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and the National Ignition Facility for their historic accomplishment."
Senator Jack Reed recognized contributions from past generations: "This is an historic, innovative achievement that builds on contributions of generations of Livermore scientists."
Senator Alex Padilla expressed pride in California scientists' leadership in clean energy development.
Representative Zoe Lofgren called attention to NIF's recent performance record despite using less optimal conditions than previous experiments.
Representative Eric Swalwell celebrated NIF's potential impact on sustainable energy sources and committed continued support for funding advancements in fusion research.
The experiment delivered 2.05 megajoules (MJ) of energy resulting in 3.15 MJ output—demonstrating a fundamental basis for inertial fusion energy (IFE). The DOE is restarting a coordinated IFE program alongside private sector investments to advance towards commercializing fusion technology.
Fusion involves combining two light nuclei into one heavier nucleus with substantial energy release—a concept pursued by LLNL since physicist John Nuckolls' pioneering work led to over six decades of research culminating now with NIF's success.
Contributors include Los Alamos National Laboratory; Sandia National Laboratories; Nevada National Security Site; General Atomics; academic institutions like University of Rochester’s Laboratory for Laser Energetics; MIT; UC Berkeley; Princeton University along with international partners including UK's Atomic Weapons Establishment and France’s Alternative Energies & Atomic Energy Commission among others involved within DOE/NNSA frameworks or congressional backing efforts related thereto.