One of the holy grails of science fiction is the idea of a fusion reactor--a form of power generation in which energy is produced from a fusion reaction. It is conceivably the starship engine of the future and potentially the way for humans to power the progression of civilization at an exponential rate. But it has remained in science fiction, beyond the comprehension of modern science.
Now it appears, Lockheed Martin is at least narrowing in on a prototype, specifically a compact fusion reactor for which they have obtained a patent. The shipping container sized CFR--compact fusion reactor--will be capable of powering a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, or 80,000 homes, sometime in the next year. This is an incredible advancement because scientists have been trying since the 1920s to conceive of a fusion reactor smaller than the size of a building.
There is also an international consortium based in France, The International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor, which is building a 23,000-ton reactor at the cost of $50 billion.
Lockheed Martin's patent is for part of the confinement system. The CFR may ultimately be able to power a trip to Mars, or a limitless drone supply system that could provide surveillance over the entire Pacific Ocean.