Functioning of China's Nuclear Fusion Reactor
In a groundbreaking development, China's Institute of Plasma Physics has made significant strides in the realm of nuclear fusion, often referred to as the "artificial sun." The institute's Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) has set a world record by maintaining superheated plasma for 1,066 seconds (approximately 18 minutes), a milestone in sustaining the extreme conditions necessary for fusion energy production on Earth [1].
This remarkable achievement was made possible by upgrading EAST's heating system to a power level comparable to nearly 70,000 household microwave ovens. This upgrade enabled plasma temperatures exceeding 180 million degrees Fahrenheit and maintained stability for unprecedented durations [1].
The institute's efforts extend beyond EAST. China has also contributed crucial components to the international ITER project, another ambitious global nuclear fusion reactor effort. China delivered the ITER magnetic feeder system, a highly complex subsystem responsible for delivering energy, cooling, and control signals to the reactor's superconducting magnets. This system is vital for sustaining fusion reactions safely and efficiently within ITER's tokamak design [3][4].
The successful plasma containment event marks a significant advancement in the quest to harness nuclear fusion for energy production. Fusion, unlike fossil fuel combustion, is a cleaner energy source that does not release greenhouse gases. Moreover, it is a more sustainable energy source compared to both fossil fuel combustion and nuclear fission, as it does not involve splitting atoms apart and produces helium as its only byproduct [2].
While scientists have not yet literally created an "artificial sun," they are working towards achieving that goal. The high-temperature and pressure conditions for fusion turn matter into plasma, the fourth state of matter. In this process, two atoms combine to form one, releasing a large amount of energy [5].
China has been at the forefront of advancements in nuclear fusion research. The successful plasma containment event on January 20th, 2025, is a step towards controlling fusion reactions, which is even more challenging than controlling the extreme conditions of fusion in a lab [6].
This breakthrough brings fusion energy—a nearly limitless, clean energy source that mimics the sun’s nuclear fusion process—closer to practical realization. The advances made by China's Institute of Plasma Physics collectively mark major steps towards harnessing fusion as a practical, clean energy source, realizing the vision of an "artificial sun" on Earth [1][3][4].
References:
[1] Institute of Plasma Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. (2025). EAST sets a new world record for plasma confinement. Retrieved from https://www.ipp.cas.cn/en/news/202501/t20250120_191252.shtml
[2] U.S. Department of Energy. (n.d.). Nuclear Fusion. Retrieved from https://www.energy.gov/eere/articles/nuclear-fusion
[3] ITER. (n.d.). China. Retrieved from https://www.iter.org/en/partners/china
[4] China National Nuclear Corporation. (n.d.). ITER Magnetic Feeder System. Retrieved from https://www.cnnc.cn/en/product/5141.htm
[5] U.S. Department of Energy. (n.d.). Fusion Energy Basics. Retrieved from https://www.energy.gov/eere/fusion/articles/fusion-energy-basics
[6] International Atomic Energy Agency. (n.d.). Fusion Energy. Retrieved from https://www.iaea.org/topics/fusion-energy
- The significant improvement in plasma confinement by China's Institute of Plasma Physics using their Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) demonstrates a pivotal role of physics and technology in advancing the science of nuclear fusion, aiming to create an "artificial sun."
- As China's Institute of Plasma Physics continues to innovate, such as delivering crucial components for the international ITER project, the applications of science and technology in harnessing fusion for clean energy production grow increasingly closer to realizing the vision of a practical "artificial sun."
