Is the US Falling Behind in Fusion Research?
September 19, 2024
China is pouring increased funding into developing nuclear fusion, CNN reports, adding that some observers “are worried America is losing its decades-long lead in the race to master this near-limitless form of clean energy.” In Issues, Michael Ford surveys the current status of public and private fusion efforts in the United States, finding that there have been “noteworthy technical achievements” and that “momentum for fusion is clearly building.” But fundamental questions remain, he writes, including which technical approach will work best, making it critical that government continue broad support for fusion research at national laboratories and universities.