Chinese scientists achieved a remarkable world record by sustaining plasma temperatures exceeding 100 million degrees Celsius for nearly 18 minutes. This breakthrough was achieved using the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST), a nuclear fusion reactor often referred to as the "artificial sun."
A Step Toward Unlimited Energy
The experiment was conducted at the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) facility. Using hydrogen and deuterium gases as fuel, scientists mimicked the fusion process that powers the Sun. This "artificial sun" experiment is a step towards making nuclear fusion a viable energy source.
The Director of EAST, Song Yuntao, explained that achieving self-sustaining plasma is crucial. “Fusion devices must operate stably for thousands of seconds to produce electricity,” he said. However, creating reactors capable of sustaining such intense conditions remains a significant challenge, FP reported.
Professor Zhou Haishan highlighted material resilience as a major obstacle. "Developing damage-resistant materials is extremely complex," Zhou said, adding that advanced simulation environments are essential for testing.
Future Plans and Fusion’s Promise
China’s National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) is focused on creating an industrial prototype fusion reactor by 2035. The goal is to make large-scale fusion technology commercially viable by 2050.
Nuclear fusion mimics the Sun, generating energy by fusing hydrogen atoms at immense temperatures. If successful, fusion could provide a clean, safe, and nearly limitless energy source.
South Korean scientists previously held the record for sustaining 100-million-degree plasma in 2024. Their efforts also aimed at advancing fusion technology as an energy solution.
The Science Behind Fusion
Nuclear fusion involves combining light atomic nuclei, like hydrogen isotopes, to form heavier ones, releasing immense energy. This process requires extreme heat and pressure, similar to the Sun’s core, and uses advanced methods like magnetic fields to contain the reaction.
Fusion offers clean energy with abundant fuel and minimal waste. However, replicating and controlling these conditions on Earth remains a challenge. Despite the hurdles, scientists continue their quest to harness the potential of nuclear fusion.
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