Physics

China’s ‘artificial sun’ sets record for nuclear fusion power generation

An experimental advanced superconducting tokamak achieved a remarkable scientific milestone by sustaining steady-state, highly confined plasma operation for 1,066 seconds. Credit: HFIPS

The Advanced Superconducting Tokamak Experimental Station (EAST), commonly known as China’s “artificial sun,” has achieved a remarkable scientific milestone by sustaining steady-state, highly confined plasma operation for an astonishing 1,066 seconds. . The achievement, achieved on Monday, sets a new world record and represents a significant advance in the pursuit of fusion power generation.

The 1,066 seconds is a significant advance in fusion research. This milestone was achieved by the Institute of Plasma Physics (ASIPP) of the Hefei Institute of Physical Sciences (HFIPS), Chinese Academy of Sciences, and far exceeds the previous world record of 403 seconds, also set by EAST in 2023.

The ultimate goal of developing an artificial sun is to reproduce the nuclear fusion process that occurs on the sun, provide humanity with an unlimited source of clean energy, and enable exploration beyond the solar system.

Scientists around the world have been working on this ambitious goal for more than 70 years. However, generating electricity from fusion devices requires overcoming significant challenges, including reaching temperatures above 100 million degrees Celsius, maintaining stable long-term operation, and ensuring precise control of the fusion process.

“Fusion devices must achieve stable operation for thousands of seconds with high efficiency to enable self-sustaining circulation of plasma, which is essential for continuous power generation in future fusion plants,” ASIPP said. said SONG Yuntao, director and vice president. HFIPS. He said the recent record is monumental and represents an important step towards achieving a functioning fusion reactor.

According to Gong Xianzu, head of the EAST physics experiment operations department, several systems on the EAST instrument have been upgraded since the last experiment. For example, the heating system used to run on the same power as about 70,000 domestic microwave ovens, but now its power output has been doubled while maintaining stability and continuity. .

Chinese "artificial sun" Setting a milestone record for nuclear fusion power generation

EAST maintained steady-state, highly confined plasma operation for 1,066 seconds on Monday. Credit: HFIPS

Since its establishment in 2006, EAST has served as an open testing platform for Chinese and international scientists to conduct fusion-related experiments and research.

China officially joined the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) program in 2006 as the seventh member. Under the agreement, China will be responsible for approximately 9 percent of the project’s construction and operation, with ASIPP serving as the lead agency for the China mission.

ITER, currently under construction in southern France, is expected to be the world’s largest magnetically confined plasma physics experiment and the largest tokamak-type fusion experimental reactor when completed.

In recent years, EAST has consistently achieved breakthroughs in high confinement mode, which is the fundamental operating mode of experimental fusion reactors such as ITER and the future China Fusion Engineering Test Reactor (CFETR). These results provide valuable insights and references for the global development of fusion reactors.

“Through EAST, we hope to expand international cooperation and bring fusion energy to practical use for humanity,” said Song.

A new generation of experimental fusion research facilities are currently under construction in Hefei, China’s Anhui province, where EAST is located. These facilities aim to further accelerate the development and application of fusion energy.

Provided by Chinese Academy of Sciences

Citation: China’s ‘artificial sun’ sets record for fusion power (January 21, 2025) https://phys.org/news/2025-01-chinese-artificial-sun-fusion-power. Retrieved January 21, 2025 from html

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