LLNL and Pacific Fusion achieve 3,000-shot milestone with Sirius pulsed-power prototype

July 20, 2026, 9:55AMNuclear News
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and Pacific Fusion leaders and researchers pose by the Sirius pulsed-power prototype on May 15 to mark the system’s 3,000-shot milestone at LLNL. (Photo: Garry McLeod/LLNL)

Researchers from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and Pacific Fusion have surpassed 3,000 “shots” with Sirius, a four-stage prototype impedance-matched Marx generator (IMG) of the type that can provide pulsed power to an inertial confinement fusion machine. The team characterized this achievement as a “key milestone in the development of high-gain fusion and a practical example of government-industry partnership at work.”

Realta Fusion, Inertia Enterprises select HQ locations

July 16, 2026, 9:22AMNuclear News

Two nuclear fusion companies are setting up shop in disused industrial buildings. Realta Fusion just named a Madison, Wis., location for its “Realta Forge.” Meanwhile, last week, Inertia Enterprises announced the opening of its new headquarters in Livermore, Calif.

LLNL researchers characterize hydrogen-uranium corrosion

May 29, 2026, 1:58PMNuclear News
As hydrogen reacts with uranium, blisters form in the uranium surface (a), then the blisters burst open (b), and uranium hydride powder is released. This interaction results in surface degradation (c) that can impact the durability and safety characteristics of the uranium metal. (Image: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory)

A team of scientists from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory has observed, imaged, and characterized the early stages of hydrogen-uranium corrosion for the first time, the lab announced recently.

LLNL’s Annie Kritcher named to TIME100 for her role in fusion breakthrough

April 26, 2023, 12:00PMEdited April 26, 2023, 12:00PMNuclear News
LLNL design physicist Annie Kritcher is honored as one of the TIME100 Most Influential People. (Photo: Blaise Douros/LLNL)

Physicist Andrea “Annie” Kritcher’s dedication to fusion target design has earned her a spot on the TIME100 Most Influential People list for 2023. Today, Kritcher and 99 other individuals on that list—among them Elon Musk, King Charles, Judy Blume, Patrick Mahomes, Beyoncé, Lionel Messi, Janet Yellen, and MrBeast—are being honored at the TIME100 Summit and Gala at the Lincoln Center in New York City.

National labs targeted in Russia-based phishing scheme, Reuters reports

January 9, 2023, 12:01PMANS Nuclear Cafe

Reuters broke an “exclusive” story on January 6 that, “according to Internet records reviewed by Reuters and five cyber security experts, a Russian hacking team known as Cold River targeted three Department of Energy laboratoriesArgonne, Brookhaven, and Lawrence Livermore—with a phishing scheme in the summer of 2022.

The American Nuclear Society welcomes fusion ignition milestone

December 13, 2022, 2:00PMPress Releases

LA GRANGE PARK, Illinois – American Nuclear Society (ANS) President Steven Arndt and ANS CEO and Executive Director Craig Piercy issued the following statement:

"The American Nuclear Society and the Fusion Energy Division of the American Nuclear Society congratulate the National Ignition Facility (NIF) team at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory for their achievement in reaching the scientific energy breakeven milestone for fusion ignition.

NNSA releases contractor performance evaluations

January 19, 2021, 6:59AMANS Nuclear Cafe

The National Nuclear Security Administration last week released performance evaluation summaries on the effectiveness of its management and operating (M&O) contractors in meeting the agency’s expectations during fiscal year 2020.

The summaries feature assessment “scorecards,” as well as links to M&O contractor performance evaluation and measurement plans. Also included are specific contractor accomplishments, plus issues requiring attention.