China’s "artificial sun" achieves magnetic field in nuclear fusion

Interesting Engineering carries an article about the latest development which is a major step toward controlled nuclear fusion, a process that involves combining atomic nuclei to release vast amounts of energy, Caliber.Az reprints the article.

Chinese scientists have made a groundbreaking milestone in nuclear fusion. They have announced a major achievement in discovering an advanced magnetic field structure “for the first time in the world” using the Huanliu-3 (HL-3) tokamak, also known as China’s “artificial sun.” 

The discovery is the result of the first round of international joint experiments conducted on the HL-3 tokamak, a project that opened to global collaboration at the end of 2023.

International efforts

As per Chinese Media Group, the experiments involved 17 renowned research institutes and universities worldwide, including the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission and Kyoto University in Japan. It asserts China’s commitment to international cooperation in addressing the global energy crisis.

The HL-3 tokamak has been independently designed and developed by China. It is also the country’s largest and most advanced nuclear fusion device. 

It replicates the sun’s energy generation process through controlled nuclear fusion, a cutting-edge technology with immense potential to solve global energy and environmental challenges.

In August 2023, the HL-3 tokamak achieved a major milestone by successfully operating under a plasma current of 1 million amperes. This experiment solidified China’s position at the forefront of magnetic confinement nuclear fusion research. 

This latest breakthrough is crucial for controlling and confining the superheated plasma within the tokamak.

Controlled nuclear fusion has long been considered the holy grail of energy research, promising a clean and practically inexhaustible power source.

Clean energy solutions

China has been actively promoting international cooperation in nuclear energy, exemplified by recent partnerships with France, including joint research initiatives and contributions to the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) project.

By opening the HL-3 tokamak to international collaboration and actively participating in global nuclear energy initiatives, China is demonstrating its commitment to advancing clean energy solutions and addressing the world’s growing energy demands. 

The innovative magnetic configuration discovered by the international team of scientists represents a major advancement in plasma physics and fusion technology.

This development, reported by China Media Group, is a significant advancement towards clean energy sources.

Global race for artificial sun

Besides, the global race towards harnessing the power of the “artificial sun” also continues to heat up. 

Recently, South Korea’s Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research (KSTAR) reactor achieved a major milestone by reaching temperatures seven times hotter than the sun’s core.

“To develop fusion energy, it is essential to secure the technology to sustain high-temperature and high-density plasmas where fusion reactions occur most actively for longer durations,” stated the Korea Institute of Fusion Energy (KFE) at that time.