> What's special about the Wendelstein 7-X? I know stellarators as a concept aren't new. Is this a significant result, or is it just a handy opportunity for a m

> What's special about the Wendelstein 7-X? I know stellarators as a concept aren't new. Is this a significant result, or is it just a handy opportunity for a media event? The concept is not new, they're just hideously complicated to build. It's a relatively new development that it's possible to model the shape of the magnetic fields and magnets required to keep the plasma. So it's a significant achievement to build one and prove that you can run it while containing the plasma. Yesterdays event is one step on that path.