The team believes that their method, called lattice confinement fusion, could be a potential new power source for deep space missions.

Lawrence Forsley, a senior lead experimental physicist for the project said the idea did not use any mythical cold fusion. Forsley stresses this is hot fusion, but "we've come up with a new way of driving it".

"This method of fusion offers a potentially reliable source for craft operating in places where solar panels may not be useable, for example.

"And of course, what works in space could be used on Earth."