(We are still 5 years out. But this is probably the best shot we have yet.)
Validating the physics behind the new MIT-designed fusion experiment.
David L. Chandler
"They realized the emergence of high-temperature superconducting technology enables a high magnetic field approach to producing net energy gain from a magnetic confinement system."
https://news.mit.edu/2020/physics-fusion-studies-0929
All seven papers, and an overview, here: (open access)
@corlin the tokamak design has been around since the 80s so it's got an enormous head start but there are alternate designs being explored as well. General Fusion and TAE are pursuing those alternate routes iirc.
Regardless, the clock is really ticking on these projects. Like a 10+ year time table is worthless at this point.
@Expecting_Words
A bit too optimistic, in my view. But yes.
These papers are significant, as they lay out the hard science behind the design. Math and all. Now it is just engineering. And a shit ton of luck.