“China’s ‘artificial sun’ ran for 1,066 seconds—2x longer than previous records!”
Key Takeaways:
- The EAST fusion reactor maintained plasma stability for 1,066 seconds, smashing its previous 403-second record from 2023.
- This achievement represents a significant leap in realizing clean, limitless energy.
- Key upgrades, including doubling heating power, made this scientific feat possible.
- As part of the ITER initiative, China shares its advancements in fusion technology with the world.
- Ongoing construction of advanced fusion facilities in Hefei positions China at the forefront of sustainable energy innovation.
China’s Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST), known as the “artificial sun,” has achieved a groundbreaking milestone in fusion energy research. On Monday, EAST sustained high-confinement plasma operation for 1,066 seconds, setting a new world record and nearly tripling its previous record of 403 seconds from 2023. This accomplishment, spearheaded by the Institute of Plasma Physics (ASIPP) at the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science (HFIPS), marks a critical step toward the dream of harnessing fusion energy.
Fusion, the process powering the sun, holds the promise of a clean, virtually limitless energy source for humanity. To replicate it on Earth, scientists must overcome extreme challenges, such as sustaining temperatures exceeding 100 million degrees Celsius and achieving prolonged plasma stability. These conditions are essential for generating self-sustaining plasma circulation, a prerequisite for continuous fusion power generation.
ASIPP Director SONG Yuntao emphasized that operating a fusion device efficiently for thousands of seconds is vital to achieving practical fusion reactors. EAST’s latest breakthrough reflects advancements in heating systems, doubling their power output while maintaining operational stability. These enhancements have positioned EAST as a key experimental platform for global fusion research since its inception in 2006.
China joined the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) program in 2006, contributing 9% to its construction and operations. ITER, being built in southern France, aims to be the world’s largest experimental nuclear fusion reactor and a cornerstone in the development of magnetic confinement plasma physics. Insights gained from EAST significantly contribute to ITER’s mission and the future China Fusion Engineering Test Reactor (CFETR).
Head of the EAST Physics and Experimental Operations division, Gong Xianzu, highlighted the continual improvements in EAST’s systems. The heating system alone operates with power comparable to nearly 70,000 household microwave ovens, showcasing its sophistication. These innovations have allowed EAST to consistently achieve breakthroughs in high-confinement plasma operation, setting global benchmarks in fusion research.
In Hefei, China is constructing a new generation of fusion research facilities to accelerate the development and application of fusion energy. This infrastructure underpins the nation’s ambition to lead in sustainable energy solutions. SONG Yuntao emphasized the importance of international collaboration, expressing hope that EAST’s achievements would help bring fusion energy into practical use for humanity.
As EAST continues to set records and contribute critical knowledge, the dream of replicating the sun’s power on Earth is closer than ever. These efforts hold profound implications for addressing the global energy crisis and advancing clean energy technologies.