China has set a new milestone in fusion research, successfully sustaining the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST), also known as the “artificial sun,” for an unprecedented 1,066 seconds.
This achievement marks a significant step in the pursuit of clean and sustainable energy.
The breakthrough was accomplished by the Institute of Plasma Physics under the Chinese Academy of Sciences (ASIPP). Scientists managed to maintain a steady-state high-confinement plasma operation at a staggering temperature of 100 million degrees Celsius, surpassing their previous record of 403 seconds.
Nuclear fusion, the process that powers the sun, involves the merging of two light atomic nuclei to form a heavier nucleus, releasing energy in the process. This transformation occurs because the total mass of the resulting nucleus is slightly less than the combined mass of the original nuclei, with the difference being converted into energy.
To generate such extreme temperatures and sustain the plasma state, hydrogen isotopes are introduced into the fusion device. The ions are then heated and maintained at high energy levels, creating conditions similar to those found in the sun. Notably, EAST had previously reached the 100 million-degree Celsius milestone in 2018.
ALSO READ: World’s Richest Lose $108 Billion in Wealth Collapse
The primary objective of this experimental reactor is to develop a nuclear fusion process similar to that of the sun, utilizing deuterium extracted from seawater to provide a consistent source of clean energy.
According to ASIPP director Song Yuntao, achieving stable, high-efficiency operation for extended periods is essential for the long-term viability of future fusion reactors. This latest record, he emphasized, represents a crucial step toward self-sustaining plasma circulation, a key requirement for continuous power generation.
Since its launch in 2006, EAST has served as an open research platform, facilitating fusion-related experiments and collaborations among scientists from China and around the world. It has consistently pushed the boundaries of high-confinement mode operations, which form the foundation for experimental fusion reactors.
Although EAST has made significant strides, it is not the only reactor to achieve remarkable results in fusion research. In December 2020, South Korea’s Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research (KSTAR) fusion device reached a plasma temperature of 100 million degrees Celsius for 20 seconds.
These achievements collectively contribute to the global effort to harness nuclear fusion as a sustainable energy source for the future.
