US scientists confirm ‘major breakthrough’ in nuclear fusion

Successful experiment could pave way for abundant clean energy in future, but major hurdles remain

Scientists have confirmed a major breakthrough has been made that could pave the way for abundant clean energy in the future after more than half a century of research into nuclear fusion.

Researchers at the US National Ignition Facility in California said fusion experiments had released more energy than was pumped in by the lab's enormous, high-powered lasers, a landmark achievement known as ignition or energy gain.