Produced by: Mohsin Shaikh
China’s "artificial sun," the EAST reactor, maintained super-hot plasma for 1,066 seconds, surpassing its previous record of 403 seconds, state media reported.
The EAST reactor uses nuclear fusion, mimicking the sun's process by fusing light atoms to generate immense energy without greenhouse gas emissions.
EAST is a tokamak reactor, designed to sustain plasma loops for prolonged periods—critical for future electricity-generating fusion plants.
Despite advancements, nuclear fusion remains decades from practical use, with researchers emphasizing the immense technical challenges ahead.
Director Song Yuntao of the Institute of Plasma Physics highlighted the need for stable plasma circulation over thousands of seconds for self-sustaining energy.
credit: Institute of Plasma Physics
Unlike the sun’s immense pressure, reactors like EAST compensate with temperatures several times hotter, reaching extreme heat to sustain reactions.
Fusion energy offers the "Holy Grail" of clean power—unlimited energy without significant waste or carbon emissions.
EAST’s achievements place China at the forefront of fusion research, intensifying the global race to develop viable nuclear fusion power.
Representative pic
While still experimental, EAST’s progress marks an essential step toward fusion plants that could revolutionize global energy production.
Representative pic