The blast will lastapproximately 100 quadrillionths of a second.

For decades, scientists have been experimenting with lasers to create fusion reactions.

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Marvel Fusion breaks ground on $150M laser facility in Colorado

Net energy gain essentially means that the reaction produced more energy than went into it.

For that youd need to produce these fusion blasts several times per second.

But thats exactly what Marvel Fusion plans to do.

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Colorado State University will develop one of the lasers.

Marvel will build the other two, in a bid to prove its core technology.

The partners aim to complete the laser facility in 2026.

Siôn Geschwindt

There is simply more funding and an appetite for this kind of technology across the pond, he said.

Nevertheless, he doesnt necessarily intend on building a full-scale commercial plant in the US.

It could very well, maybe hopefully, be in Europe, he said.

Marvel recently secured 62.8mn in a Series B funding round, bringing its total raised to date to 100mn.

Alongside fusion energy, ATLAS will also support research in medicine, semiconductors, and X-ray imaging.

For instance, lasers could be used to deposit energy in a very localised region for tumour treatment.

Both Colorado State University and Marvel will fund the construction of the new facility.

The US government has also put $28mn toward the project.

Story bySion Geschwindt

Sion is a freelance science and technology reporter, specialising in climate and energy.

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