Scientists in China have set a new record for plasma duration in nuclear fusion, achieving a temperature six times hotter than the Sun's core. This milestone, part of the 'Artificial Sun' project, signifies a major advancement in simulating the operational environment of future nuclear fusion power plants.
On January 21, 2025, the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) at the Hefei Institute of Plasma Physics sustained plasma temperatures exceeding 100 million degrees Celsius (180 million degrees Fahrenheit) for an impressive 1,066 seconds, surpassing the previous record of 403 seconds established in April 2023.
Researchers view this achievement as a critical step toward transforming fusion reactors into practical energy sources. Song Yuntao, director of the institute, emphasized that for fusion power plants to generate electricity continuously, the fusion device must operate efficiently in a stable state for thousands of seconds.
Creating viable nuclear fusion on Earth requires plasma temperatures hotter than those found in the Sun, compensating for our planet's smaller mass. The Sun's core temperature is estimated to be around 15 million degrees Celsius.
This recent breakthrough demonstrates China's capability to replicate the conditions necessary for future fusion reactors, marking a significant stride toward unlimited, low-cost energy production.