China’s Nuclear Fusion Breakthrough: Sustained Plasma 6 Times Hotter Than the Sun Sets New Record
Chinese scientists have taken another monumental step toward achieving nuclear fusion, a revolutionary energy source that could power the planet with minimal environmental impact. At the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) facility, often referred to as China’s "artificial sun," researchers achieved a sustained plasma temperature exceeding 100 million degrees Celsius (180 million Fahrenheit) for a record-breaking 1,066 seconds. This milestone, reached in January 2025, shattered the previous record of 403 seconds set by the same facility in April 2023.
Why Fusion is Critical for the Future
Nuclear fusion is the process that powers the sun and other stars, combining light atomic nuclei into heavier ones and releasing vast amounts of energy. Unlike traditional nuclear fission, which splits heavy atoms, fusion produces no long-lived radioactive waste or greenhouse gases. The raw materials for fusion, such as deuterium and tritium, are abundant and widely available. This makes fusion one of the most promising solutions to global energy challenges.
However, replicating the conditions of the sun on Earth is extraordinarily difficult. Plasma, the hot, electrically charged state of matter where fusion occurs, must be heated to over 100 million degrees Celsius—several times hotter than the sun's core—and sustained for long periods. The doughnut-shaped tokamaks, like EAST, use powerful magnetic fields to confine and control this plasma, preventing it from damaging the reactor walls.
EAST’s Groundbreaking Achievement
EAST's recent success goes beyond breaking records; it demonstrates humanity’s ability to mimic the operational environment of future fusion power plants. According to Song Yuntao, director of the Institute of Plasma Physics in Hefei, the experiment employed high-confinement mode, a high-efficiency operational technique critical for sustaining long-term fusion reactions. This mode allowed the plasma to remain stable for over 17 minutes, marking a significant leap in fusion technology.
The record-breaking operation required significant advancements in heating systems, precision control, and diagnostic tools. EAST's team addressed challenges like sudden plasma collapses, which can damage a reactor’s internal components. These refinements have not only extended operational times but also provided valuable data for global projects like the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), a multinational collaboration aiming to demonstrate large-scale fusion power.
China’s Role in Global Fusion Research
China is a key player in the ITER project, contributing to the design and manufacture of critical components such as superconducting conductors and magnetic systems. Simultaneously, the country is advancing its domestic fusion programs. The next-generation Fusion Engineering Test Reactor (CFETR), an ambitious project that builds on EAST’s successes, is expected to be operational by 2035. Once complete, CFETR will serve as a bridge between experimental reactors and commercial fusion power plants.
In addition to government-led efforts, private companies in China are making strides in fusion research. Energy Singularity, a Shanghai-based start-up, has developed the Honghuang-70, the world’s first high-temperature superconducting tokamak built by a private entity. This device successfully generated and maintained plasma, showcasing the growing momentum of China's fusion industry.
Challenges on the Path to Commercial Fusion
While the progress at EAST and other facilities is remarkable, several challenges remain before fusion can become a practical energy source. Sustaining plasma for thousands of seconds with operational stability is crucial for achieving self-sustaining fusion reactions. Additionally, the construction and maintenance of fusion reactors are costly and complex, requiring continuous innovation in materials science, engineering, and energy management.
Despite these hurdles, the advances made at EAST bring humanity closer to a future where fusion energy powers homes, industries, and cities. By demonstrating sustained plasma at extreme temperatures, China has set a new benchmark in fusion research, underscoring its commitment to addressing the world's energy needs through cutting-edge science.
As global collaboration intensifies and technologies mature, the dream of harnessing the power of the stars may no longer be confined to science fiction but could become an integral part of our energy reality.
