The Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) has achieved a groundbreaking feat: creating a compact fusion reactor using 3D-printed parts and off-the-shelf materials, all small enough to fit on a kitchen table. This deceptively simple device—a glass vacuum tube surrounded by 3D-printed nylon and thousands of magnets—contains the key to replicating the power of the stars, potentially leading to a future of abundant, clean energy.

The story, shared by IEEE Spectrum, highlights how PPPL’s reactor could change the fusion landscape. While fusion reactors have existed for years, they’re typically massive and costly. Germany’s Wendelstein 7-X, an experimental stellarator, took two decades and $1.1 billion to build. In contrast, PPPL’s smaller-scale reactor prototype is an affordable proof of concept, demonstrating that the principles of fusion can be achieved with minimal resources and compact designs.

The European Union has allocated $55.1 million (€51 million) to support the development of two tidal energy farms in France, marking a significant step in renewable energy. The funding, provided through the EU Innovation Fund, has been awarded to HydroQuest, a French tidal energy company, and Normandie Hydroliennes, a tidal energy developer.

HydroQuest, in partnership with renewable energy firm Qair, will use the funding to establish the 17.5-MW FloWatt tidal farm, expected to launch in 2026. Normandie Hydroliennes will develop a 12-MW NH1 tidal farm featuring four turbines, slated for completion in 2028. This initiative is part of a larger effort by the European Commission to support 85 net-zero projects across 18 countries, granting €4.8 billion ($5.19 billion) in the Innovation Fund’s largest round of funding since its inception.