Many media outlets recently reported a fusion breakthrough as a clean energy story. However, in a recent Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists article (12/16/22) by John Mecklin, he explains that the recent fusion experiment at the National Ignition Facility (NIF) was primarily about our nuclear weapons stockpile and not about electricity generation. That article included an interview with Bob Rosner, former director of Argonne National Laboratory, who underscored that point. In fact, the press conference which announced the breakthrough had two parts.

Comments by Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm emphasizing the potential for electricity generation, while the subsequent panel of NIF scientists, especially Marv Adams, made it clear that their experiment to create a controlled fusion energy process was meant to gain knowledge of both nuclear energy releases and techniques to certify the condition of nuclear weapons. This makes sense since the NIF works for the Department of Defense, and not for the Energy Department. Dr. Rosner emphasized the three goals of the NIF: demonstrate control of fusion processes; train future weapons scientists and; show adversaries our capabilities. While practicing physics for over 40 years, I have heard many reports of fusion energy breakthroughs. The energy secretary hinted that even after this new “breakthrough” general application could be decades away. Nonetheless, this was indeed a breakthrough for scientists involved in weapons development and those safeguarding our weapons, as well as for science in general. However, media outlets should have reported more than just half of the story.

Peter Somssich

Portsmouth

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