The New York Times reported that another startup said it was close to testing a system that could prove it could generate more energy than it consumes.

Zap Energy says its approach to fusion energy is simpler and less expensive than other attempts.

Critics argue that we're stuck in another round offusion energy mania, according to the report.

It has been proven that fusion energy is one of the hardest energy nuts to crack since the 1950's.

Scientists haven't figured out a way to make a system that can produce more energy than it needs to kick start the reaction.

These startups continue to make claims about the steps they have taken towards practical nuclear fusion year after year.

Zap Energy is hoping to scale things down and develop a system that has already been abandoned by other fusion companies in favor of larger and more complex reactor, according to the NYT.

The company is hoping to produce a surplus of energy by compressing a cloud of particles with a magnetic field inside a six-and-a-half foot vacuum tube.

Critics still don't think it's good.

The retired physicist Daniel Jassby told the newspaper that the claims are widely believed because of the effective propaganda of the promoter and laboratory spokesman.

If Zap Energy is able to turn its ambitious plans into reality, each of its reactor would be able to power at least 8,000 homes.

According to the NYT, the company still has some ways to go, and is still working on a power supply that is large enough to fit in a suitcase.

We won't be able to evaluate their claims until the reactor starts to work.

A big step toward fusion energy is being hailed by a Seattle start-up.

The startup claims that it has achieved breakthrough using a massive gun.