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@neu
The above discussions don't seem to note the method of fusion used. Most people think of the tokamak thermonuclear fusion reactor, a big donut which induces fusion thermally, i.e. a plasma hotter than the surface of the Sun.
The story in the news is from the national ignition facility, where they use lasers on little pellets of fuel.
I don't know the in's and outs, but it seems more like a proof of principle than a breakthrough.
For those worried about radiation in fusion, the useful process doesn't involve using unstable fuel or products as in fission. The radiation released is in the form of neutrons. Neutron confinement technology is well developed, thanks mainly to investment in fission weapon, so there's no immediate nor accumulated danger of neutron exposure. As mentioned above, neutrons damage the confinement materials used, effectively inducing fission and leaving unstable, radioactive products.
The volume, half life and activity of this fall out are all as managable as the radioactive materials stored in your local hospital. Apparently.
I know questions have been answered on this, but I find the nuclear stability curve to be the best illustration of the fusion vs fission principle:
As usual, I'm talking out my arse, and repeating other peoples points.