China’s Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) has broken yet another world record in nuclear fusion technology. The reactor was able to maintain a plasma temperature of 70 million degrees Celsius for 17 minutes, the longest time ever recorded. This achievement is a significant step towards the goal of using nuclear fusion as a source of energy.
Previously, the Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research (KSTAR) held the world record for maintaining a plasma temperature of 100 million degrees Celsius for 20 seconds. However, EAST has surpassed this record multiple times, with the latest achievement being a plasma temperature of 160 million degrees Celsius for over 20 seconds.
The Institute of Plasma Physics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences (ASIPP) has reported that the insights gained from these experiments will serve as a foundation for future energy production through nuclear fusion. The director of ASIPP, Prof. Yuntao Song, has stated that the team’s next goal is to maintain a plasma temperature of at least 100 million degrees Celsius for a week.
The knowledge gained from these experiments will also contribute to the international nuclear fusion project ITER in France, which involves the participation of the European Union, Japan, South Korea, India, and the United States. Additionally, Chinese experts are assisting with the construction of ITER, including the assembly of the 330-ton PF6 field coil manufactured in China.
In conclusion, EAST’s latest achievement in maintaining a plasma temperature of 70 million degrees Celsius for 17 minutes is a significant milestone in the development of nuclear fusion technology. The insights gained from these experiments will contribute to the goal of using nuclear fusion as a source of energy and will benefit the international community.
