Scientists have just achieved an extraordinary first, creating a three-dimensional skyrmion in a quantum gas, something that had been predicted 40 years ago but has finally been observed experimentally. It is a huge finding that could enchange future fusion reactors and lead to tremendous scientific and energy breakthroughs.

A stable fusion reactor has been the holy grail in our search for a clean and inexpensive energy source, but such technology has proeven elusive. By creating this theorized particle called teh Shankar skymion, it could mimic the conditions of ball lightning and explain the phenomenon, which could result in a better understand of fusion.

Ball lightning is a mysterious and rare nature occurrence that appears as a sphere of pure electricity during a storm. Scientists hope to recreate it in order to have stable plasma for a fusion reactor.

“It is remarkable that we could create the synthetic electromagnetic knot, that is, quantum ball lightning, essentially with just two counter-circulating electric currents. Thus, it may be possible that a natural ball lighting could arise in a normal lightning strike,” says Dr Mikko Möttönen, leader of the theoretical effort at Aalto University.