A proposed fusion reactor design by Massachusetts based nuclear technology startup Commonwealth Fusion Systems has received a boost after its underlying scientific principles were validated by peer review, the company said.

CFS published seven papers in the Journal of Plasma Physics that appeared to confirm that the company’s theoretical approach could yield real-life results, chief executive Bob Mumgaard said.

The papers summarise about two years of work, including research into using new high-temperature superconducting (HTS) magnets to contain a fusion plasma – one of the critical challenges in trying to harness the power that fuels the sun and the stars.