Prospects for fusion energy

A brief review of the current state of research in the field of fusion is presented. The predictions being made as to when fusion might become a commercial reality as an energy source are discussed and an attempt is made to put the differing predictions into better perspective. It is pointed out that there is a lack of research on the question of how the fusion energy is to be converted to useful forms of energy. It is mainly the failure to deal with this matter that is producing the wide ranges of predictions to be found in the literature.