China unveils new “artificial sun” – A breakthrough in sustainable energy research

The Successful Activation of China’s Artificial Sun

China has successfully activated its artificial sun, the nuclear fusion reactor named HL-2M Tokamak, commonly known as EAST, marking a significant milestone towards sustainable clean energy.
This achievement comes as South Korea continues experimentation with their Kstar fusion reactor, showcasing the advancements in nuclear fusion research.

The EAST Reactor and its Implications

The EAST reactor is capable of reaching temperatures of over 120 million degrees Celsius, about ten times hotter than the Sun.
At these extreme temperatures, hydrogen atoms merge, releasing enormous amounts of energy in the form of heat without the radioactive waste associated with nuclear fission.

Energy Singularity, the company behind the HH70 reactor, has successfully produced the first plasma for several days, demonstrating progress in fusion technology.
The functionality of a nuclear fusion reactor remains a subject of interest, prompting questions about China’s next steps in this field.

Understanding China’s Artificial Sun

Through significant investments, China aims to lead in nuclear fusion research to facilitate the transition to a sustainable, carbon-free energy future.
The EAST project, also known as the Chinese artificial sun, has made remarkable strides in generating and containing high-temperature plasma, a crucial step in thermonuclear energy production.

Utilizing Tokamak technology, the EAST reactor focuses on creating and sustaining the plasma required for nuclear fusion reactions.
By harnessing a magnetic field to confine and heat the plasma, the Tokamak HH70 reactor occupies only 2% of the volume of traditional tokamaks, constructed with high-temperature REBCO superconductors.

The Process of Nuclear Fusion

Nuclear fusion involves the combination of two atomic nuclei to form a heavier nucleus, releasing vast amounts of energy in the form of electromagnetic radiation and subatomic particles.
This process mimics the energy source of stars like the Sun.
Unlike nuclear fission reactions, fusion processes do not generate long-lasting greenhouse gas emissions or radioactive waste.

With the achievements in mind, Energy Singularity aims to develop a commercially viable Tokamak device, with the HH70 reactor showing promise due to its compact size and cost-effectiveness.
By 2030, the company plans to have a fully functional fusion unit in operation following further testing and development.