China’s ‘Artificial Sun’ Breaks the Record for Nuclear Fusion with 1,000 Plasma Seconds

China’s ‘Artificial Sun’ Breaks the Record for Nuclear Fusion with 1,000 Plasma Seconds

Chinese nuclear fusion research has reached a new milestone with the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST), also referred to as the “artificial sun.” The record of 403 seconds (17.76 minutes) set in 2023 was surpassed by the reactor’s successful 1,000-second plasma maintenance.

The Newest Milestone in EAST

As to the report, EAST functions as a magnetic confinement reactor that is intended to maintain plasma for prolonged periods of time. Reactor modifications, including an improved heating system with double the power, enabled the current success. “Song Yuntao, Director of the Institute of Plasma Physics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, described the experiment as critical for future fusion power plants. he emphasised the need for stable plasma operation over thousands of seconds to achieve continuous power generation”.

Understanding Fusion Reactors

By combining light atoms under extreme heat and pressure to create heavier ones and releasing energy in the process, nuclear fusion simulates the sun. Earth-based reactors depend on extraordinarily high temperatures, in contrast to the sun, where tremendous pressure facilitates the process. Fusion reactors now use more energy than they generate, despite the promise of clean, plentiful energy.

Global Efforts in Fusion Technology

In order to further fusion research, China is a member of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) program, an international endeavor. It will test sustained fusion and is based in France. It is anticipated to start operations in 2039. EAST’s experimental data will help ITER and other international initiatives.

Sanchita Patil

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