China’s experimental nuclear fusion reactor, known as the “artificial sun,” has broken its own record by maintaining highly confined extremely hot plasma for 403 seconds. The experiment was conducted at the Institute of Plasma Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
The reactor uses a powerful magnetic field to fuse hydrogen atoms into helium, creating clean energy. The previous record was set at 120 seconds in 2018. The breakthrough marks a significant step forward in China’s efforts to develop a sustainable and safe source of energy for the future.
The technology could potentially provide an almost endless supply of energy without the negative environmental impact associated with traditional forms of energy production.
However, there are still technical challenges to overcome before nuclear fusion becomes a viable energy source. The Chinese government has invested heavily in nuclear fusion research, with a goal of having a commercial fusion reactor by 2050.
Other countries, including the United States and Europe, are also investing in nuclear fusion research. The International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), which is a joint project between China, the United States, Europe, and other countries, is currently under construction in France.
ITER aims to demonstrate the feasibility of nuclear fusion as a large-scale and carbon-free source of energy. While nuclear fusion has the potential to revolutionize energy production, it still faces significant technical and economic hurdles. Despite this, the recent breakthrough by China’s “artificial sun” is a promising development and a step closer towards a sustainable future.
