China's fusion reactor, dubbed the artificial sun, has just broken its own record by maintaining a super-hot plasma loop for 1,066 seconds on January 20, 2025.
China's state media reported that this is a major step forward in the journey to conquer a virtually limitless source of clean energy. The Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) reactor has surpassed the old record by 403 seconds, marking an important milestone on the path to developing fusion energy.
Fusion—the process of fusing two light atoms into a heavier one under high temperatures and pressures—works similarly to how the Sun generates energy. However, reactors on Earth must reach temperatures dozens of times hotter than the Sun to compensate for the lower pressures.
Fusion power has the potential to provide a virtually limitless source of energy, with zero greenhouse gas emissions and little radioactive waste. But after more than 70 years of research, the technology is not fast enough to become a solution to the climate crisis.
While EAST’s new record may not bring humanity any closer to the “Holy Grail” dream of clean energy, it is still an important step forward. According to Song Yuntao, director of the Institute of Plasma Physics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, maintaining a stable plasma loop for a long time is a necessary condition for the development of future fusion plants.
Currently, fusion reactors like EAST still consume more energy than they produce. However, the data collected will support other international projects, including ITER, the international thermonuclear reactor under construction in France. ITER is expected to start up in 2039 and pave the way for the commercialization of fusion energy.
"We hope to expand international cooperation through EAST and put fusion energy into practical applications to serve humanity," Song said.
