Beijing: In a monumental step toward harnessing sustainable and near-unlimited energy, China’s Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST), often called the “artificial sun,” has achieved a groundbreaking milestone. The reactor sustained plasma at a temperature exceeding 100 million degrees Celsius for 1,000 seconds, breaking its previous record of 403 seconds set in 2023.
The development, reported by Chinese media and cited by Live Science, marks a significant advancement in nuclear fusion research. Nuclear fusion, the same process that powers the sun, has long been viewed as the holy grail of clean energy. Unlike nuclear fission, fusion does not produce greenhouse gases and carries minimal risks of accidents or misuse of atomic materials.
“A fusion device must achieve stable operation at high efficiency for thousands of seconds to enable the self-sustaining circulation of plasma, which is critical for the continuous power generation of future fusion plants,” said Song Yuntao, director of the Institute of Plasma Physics under the Chinese Academy of Sciences. He further emphasized the importance of international collaboration to advance fusion energy research and bring it closer to practical application.
EAST has been operational since 2006 and has undergone hundreds of thousands of tests to optimize performance and sustainability. The reactor uses magnetic fields to confine plasma, enabling the fusion of atomic nuclei to release vast amounts of energy. However, despite the recent success, EAST has yet to achieve “ignition,” the point where the energy produced by fusion reactions sustains itself.
Buoyed by the success of EAST, China has initiated the construction of next-generation fusion research facilities in Anhui Province to accelerate the development of fusion energy. The technology promises to address global energy demands, combat climate change, and potentially power humanity’s future space exploration missions.
Fusion energy differs from the fission process used in conventional nuclear power plants, where heavy atoms are split to release energy. Fusion, by contrast, merges light atomic nuclei, such as hydrogen isotopes, under extreme temperatures and pressure. While this process is complex and resource-intensive, it holds the potential to deliver immense energy output with minimal environmental impact.
Scientists worldwide consider nuclear fusion to be the ultimate solution to the energy crisis. By mimicking the natural reactions of the sun, researchers aim to unlock a nearly inexhaustible energy source that could revolutionize global power systems.
China’s success with EAST serves as a significant milestone in this quest. The recent achievement highlights not only the country’s commitment to cutting-edge research but also the potential for international collaboration in addressing one of humanity’s greatest challenges—sustainable energy.
While challenges remain in scaling the technology for practical use, the 1,000-second record is a promising indicator of progress. With continuous advancements, fusion energy could soon transition from a scientific dream to a practical reality, ushering in a new era of clean and efficient power generation.
