China, Energy, nuclear, Tech
China's EAST reactor set a new record by sustaining a plasma loop for 1,066 seconds at temperatures over 180 million degrees Fahrenheit, marking a significant advancement in nuclear fusion research and potential energy production.
By Swann Collins, investor, writer and consultant in international affairs – Eurasia Business News. January 26, 2025. Article no 1399.
China’s Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST), often referred to as the “artificial sun,” has achieved a groundbreaking milestone in nuclear fusion research by maintaining a plasma loop for 1,066 seconds (approximately 17 minutes and 46 seconds) at temperatures exceeding 180 million degrees Fahrenheit. This achievement, reported on January 20, surpasses the previous record of 403 seconds, also set by EAST in 2023.
Record Duration: The Chinese reactor sustained plasma operations for 1,066 seconds, marking a significant step towards achieving stable nuclear fusion necessary for future power generation.
This milestone, achieved by the Institute of Plasma Physics (ASIPP) at Hefei Institutes of Physical Science (HFIPS) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, far surpasses the previous world record of 403 seconds, also set by EAST in 2023.
Temperature: The operational temperature during this experiment exceeded 180 million degrees Fahrenheit, which is crucial for facilitating the fusion process where hydrogen atoms combine to form helium, releasing substantial energy.
Technological Upgrades: The success was attributed to enhancements in the reactor’s systems, including doubling the power of its heating mechanisms, which improved plasma confinement efficiency.
Nuclear fusion is considered the “holy grail” of energy production due to its potential to provide a nearly limitless source of clean energy without greenhouse gas emissions or significant radioactive waste. The ability to maintain a stable plasma state for extended periods is essential for developing practical fusion reactors capable of continuous power generation.
While this achievement demonstrates significant progress, researchers emphasize that challenges remain. Current fusion reactors like EAST still consume more energy than they produce. However, the data collected from this experiment will contribute to the development of next-generation reactors and support international initiatives such as the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) project in France.
ITER (initially the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor, iter meaning “the way” or “the path” in Latin) is an international nuclear fusion research and engineering megaproject aimed at creating energy through a fusion process similar to that of the Sun.
ITER is funded and run by seven member parties: China, the European Union, India, Japan, Russia, South Korea and the United States.
China’s advancements in nuclear fusion technology not only enhance its own energy strategies but also position it as a key player in global efforts to harness fusion energy for sustainable power solutions.
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© Copyright 2025 – Eurasia Business News. Article no. 1399.
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