News Physics Here’s how scientists reached nuclear fusion ‘ignition’ for the first time The experiment, performed in 2022, also revealed a never-before-seen phenomenon In December 2022, scientists at the National Ignition Facility (pictured) achieved nuclear fusion “ignition,” in which the energy produced by the fusing of atomic nuclei exceeds that needed to kick the fusion off. Jason Laurea/LLNL Share this:EmailFacebookTwitterPinterestPocketRedditPrint By Emily Conover February 16, 2024 at 9:30 am One of nuclear fusion’s biggest advances wouldn’t have happened without some impeccable scientific artistry.