Reviewed by Lexie CornerJan 22 2025
Researchers from the Institute of Plasma Physics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences achieved a new milestone with the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST), sustaining steady-state high-confinement plasma operation for 1,066 seconds.
The Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak achieved a remarkable scientific milestone by maintaining steady-state high-confinement plasma operation for an impressive 1,066 seconds. Image Credit: Hefei Institutes of Physical Science (HFIPS)
This achievement marks a significant advancement in fusion power research and establishes a new record in sustained high-confinement plasma operation.
The 1,066-second duration represents a considerable improvement in fusion science, surpassing the previous record of 403 seconds set by EAST in 2023.
The goal of developing an "artificial sun" is to replicate the nuclear fusion processes occurring in the sun. This would provide a clean and virtually limitless energy source while enabling advancements in space exploration.
For over 70 years, researchers worldwide have pursued this challenging objective. Key obstacles include achieving temperatures exceeding 100 million ℃, maintaining stable long-term plasma operation, and ensuring precise control over the fusion process to generate electricity from a nuclear fusion device.
A fusion device must achieve stable operation at high efficiency for thousands of seconds to enable the self-sustaining circulation of plasma, which is essential for the continuous power generation of future fusion plants.
Yuntao Song, Director, The Institute of Plasma Physics
Yuntao Song, Vice President of the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, described the recent record as a critical milestone in the development of a functional fusion reactor.
According to Xianzu Gong, Head of the EAST Physics and Experimental Operations Division, several systems of the EAST device have been upgraded since the previous experiments. For example, the heating system's power output was doubled while maintaining stability and continuity, equivalent to the power of nearly 70,000 household microwave ovens.
Since its inception in 2006, EAST has served as a testing platform for fusion-related research and experiments, accessible to both Chinese and international scientists.
In 2006, China became the seventh official member of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) program. Under this agreement, the Anhui Institute of Plasma Physics (ASIPP) is the primary institution responsible for China's contributions, which account for approximately 9 % of the project's development and operations.
ITER, currently under construction in southern France, will be the world's largest experimental tokamak fusion reactor and magnetic confinement plasma physics facility.
EAST has consistently advanced research in high-confinement mode, a critical operational mode for experimental reactors such as ITER and the China Fusion Engineering Test Reactor (CFETR). These achievements provide valuable insights and data for the development of fusion reactors worldwide.
We hope to expand international collaboration via EAST and bring fusion energy into practical use for humanity.
Yuntao Song, Director, The Institute of Plasma Physics
A new generation of experimental fusion research facilities is under construction in Hefei, Anhui Province, China, home to EAST. These facilities aim to further accelerate the development and application of fusion energy.