Abstract: A process for making nuclear fusion occur by compressing a prescribed fusion-fuel using lasers (22) or other means. The fusion fuel comprises a catalytic material mixed with a deuteride of an alkaline earth metal or alkali metal. The catalytic material may comprise a mixture or a compound containing red phosphorus, and a transition metal from Period 4 or Period 5 of the Periodic table. The fusion-fuel is cheap and easy to manufacture, and the technology for compression is already available. There is a realistic prospect of commercially producing nuclear fusion energy.