China Runs Record Nuclear Fusion Experiment For Nearly 18 Minutes

A Chinese research center has managed to beat its previous record in running a nuclear fusion experiment. The Hefei Institutes of Physical Science is currently researching and trying to create a fusion reactor to create massive amounts of energy cheaply.

This article was written by Paul McNally and originally published by ReadWrite.

Hefei’s scientists managed to run the experiment for nearly 18 minutes (1,066 seconds), which is an enormous jump from the previous record of 403 seconds (nearly 7 minutes).

Nuclear fusion is the next leap in energy production, utilizing a machine currently named the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST). Featuring a chamber that has gas pumped into it, it creates massive amounts of pressure that eventually turns into plasma.

This super hot plasma is then contained by magnets and then used to induce nuclear fusion. It happens all the time at the center of our solar system with the sun.

The institute claims its “ultimate goal” is to create “an artificial sun” to offer humanity “an endless, clean energy source, and enabling space exploration beyond the solar system.”

However, the press release fails to mention what kind of fuel it used to power the experiment. If the energy being used isn’t clean, the clean energy source it produces would be null and void.

China sets new record in nuclear fusion – again

EAST has been around since 2006 and has worked with both Chinese and international scientists on this project. The entire project is part of an international collaboration, under the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) group.

China did demonstrate a “1000-second” ready plasma in 2021. What appears to have changed since then is the machine itself, which is now able to hold “high-confinement plasma”.

Companies like OpenAI have already begun to invest in nuclear fusion energy. The AI industry is currently struggling with massive energy requirements, with Microsoft even re-opening a nuclear plant on Three Mile Island.