The ITER project in Cadarache France passed a milestone last week. Scientists from several participating countries have tested a prototype superconductor for the Poloidal Field coils inside the fusion reactor.

Extremely powerful superconducting magnets will be used to maintain the fusion plasma equilibrium and shape inside ITER. Demonstrating that the superconducting strands for these magnets would perform to design specification was one of the most important technological milestones for the project.

More on ITER:

"ITER is First of a Breed of Fusion Reactors that Could Produce Power without Nuclear's Risks"

Interesting hi-res photos of the tests.

When ITER is built, it will be the world's largest experimental fusion facility and is designed to demonstrate the scientific and technological feasibility of fusion power. Fusion is the process which powers the sun and the stars. When light atomic nuclei fuse together to form heavier ones, a large amount of energy is released. Successful fusion experiments could lead to a clean, safe, unlimited power source.

By Denis Du Bois at Energy Priorities