Energy drives everything — from the evolution of life to the ding notification in our smartphones — and with humanity facing a climate crisis from the way we use it, understanding energy has never been more important. At Live Science, our expert writers and editors bring you facts about crude oil and other fossil fuels that are harming the planet, guide you through the renewable energy sources that may replace them, and cover groundbreaking energy research — be it nuclear fusion or an enzyme that can turn air into energy — to ensure you get the best energy news, features and articles.
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China's 'artificial sun' shatters nuclear fusion record by generating steady loop of plasma for 1,000 seconds
A nuclear fusion reactor in China, dubbed the "artificial sun," has broken its own record to bring humanity one step closer to near-limitless clean energy.
Giant reserves of 'gold' hydrogen may be lurking beneath at least 30 US states, 1st-of-its-kind map reveals
USGS researchers have unveiled the first map of prospective locations for hydrogen gas in the contiguous United States — and there's a lot more than they previously thought.
Nuclear fusion could be the clean energy of the future — but these 'tough' challenges stand in the way
Even once researchers can reliably get more power out of a fusion reaction than they put in, they'll still need to overcome engineering challenges to scale up fusion energy.
Just a fraction of the hydrogen hidden beneath Earth's surface could power Earth for 200 years, scientists find
Trillions of tons of hydrogen gas are likely buried in rocks and reservoirs beneath Earth's surface, but researchers aren't sure where it is yet.
Physicists solve nuclear fusion mystery with mayonnaise
The same physics that underlie mayonnaise could help physicists corral the ultrahot plasma needed to produce nuclear fusion.
Nuclear fusion reactor in UK sets new world record for energy output
The JET nuclear fusion reactor in the UK has set a new world record for total energy output. However, the reactor's record-smashing test will be its last.
Massive hydrogen reservoir discovered beneath an Albanian mine could be an untapped source of clean energy
A portion of ancient oceanic crust that sits atop Albania and hosts one of the largest chromium mines on Earth also contains a huge hydrogen reservoir, offering a potential source of clean energy.
What is fission?
Fission is the process by which an atom splits into two, generating two smaller atoms and a tremendous amount of energy. Fission powers nuclear bombs and power plants.
