China’s “Artificial Sun” Sets New Fusion Record: A Step Closer to Limitless Clean Energy
On January 20, 2025, China achieved a groundbreaking milestone in clean energy development. The Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST), known as China’s “Artificial Sun,” sustained a stable plasma in high-confinement mode for an astonishing 1,066 seconds—nearly 18 minutes—shattering its previous record of 403 seconds set in 2023. This achievement marks a major step toward realizing nuclear fusion, a process that could unlock an unlimited, carbon-free energy source.
A Leap Forward in Fusion Technology
EAST is a flagship project of the Institute of Plasma Physics (ASIPP) and the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science (HFIPS), leading China’s rapid advancements in fusion energy research. With an upgraded heating system capable of generating temperatures equivalent to the combined power of 140,000 microwave ovens operating simultaneously, EAST has demonstrated remarkable stability and efficiency in plasma confinement.
“Achieving stable, high-efficiency operation for thousands of seconds is crucial for the success of future fusion reactors and the continuous production of fusion energy,” stated Song Juntao, a nuclear physicist at ASIPP.
The Science Behind the “Artificial Sun”
Nuclear fusion, the process that powers the Sun and stars, involves fusing light atomic nuclei—typically hydrogen isotopes—into heavier nuclei, releasing vast amounts of energy. Unlike nuclear fission, which splits heavy atoms and is used in current nuclear reactors, fusion does not produce long-lived radioactive waste or pose the risk of catastrophic meltdowns.
However, replicating fusion on Earth is an enormous challenge. The Sun’s immense gravity allows fusion to occur at a relatively “low” temperature of around 15 million degrees Celsius. On Earth, where such gravitational pressure is absent, scientists must heat plasma to over 100 million degrees—hotter than the Sun’s core—to achieve the necessary conditions for fusion.
EAST, a tokamak reactor based on magnetic confinement, uses powerful magnetic fields to stabilize superheated plasma. Although it has not yet reached the crucial “ignition” point—where fusion becomes self-sustaining—this latest record represents a significant leap forward in plasma confinement and stability, both essential for the future of fusion energy.
China’s Role in the Global Fusion Race
China’s rapid progress in fusion energy is part of a broader international effort to harness fusion power. The International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), a $22 billion megaproject based in France, is the world’s largest fusion experiment. With participation from 35 countries, ITER aims to generate 500 megawatts of fusion energy from just 50 megawatts of input energy for at least 400 seconds.
China is one of ITER’s seven key members and plays a vital role in the project’s development. The country is responsible for designing and manufacturing the support systems for ITER’s powerful magnets—a 1,600-ton component critical to maintaining the structural integrity of the reactor. The final batch of these components was delivered in 2023, marking a major milestone for ITER, which is expected to begin operations by 2039.
EAST’s achievements provide invaluable data for ITER and other fusion research initiatives worldwide. “We hope to expand international collaboration through EAST and accelerate the transition of fusion energy from research to practical application,” said Song Juntao.
A Future Powered by Fusion
The ultimate goal of the “Artificial Sun” is to replicate the Sun’s fusion process, providing humanity with an endless supply of clean energy. This breakthrough not only holds the potential to revolutionize global energy production but could also pave the way for deep-space exploration beyond our solar system.
“For a world searching for sustainable energy solutions, the ‘Artificial Sun’ could one day become a symbol of hope,” said Gong Sijanzu, head of EAST’s physics and experimental operations. “For now, China is leading the charge in the energy revolution.”
