I'm assuming that there's no pertinence here for fusion power, but feel free to correct me if there is:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/20 ... 140526.htm
Still indicates that we're making strides in understanding. I'm reminded of the point of Jame's Burke's show Connections, which is largely that advancements in fields are not linear - they come from advancements made in other fields that allow for advances in the first field. A metallurgy advance may be needed in order to make a magnet that allows something in fusion power, for instance.
The point is to raise hope: we might not be seeing an advancement directly in our pet technology, but that doesn't mean that somewhere some other technology isn't advancing in an unforseen way that might create an opening.
Mike