China’s “Artificial Sun” Breaks New Record In Longest Sustained Ultra-Hot Plasma

China’s "Artificial Sun" Sets New Fusion Milestone: 17 Minutes of Ultra-Hot Plasma

In a significant leap forward for nuclear fusion research, China’s Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST), often referred to as the "Artificial Sun," has achieved a remarkable feat. For 1,066 seconds, it sustained a plasma that was astoundingly hot, reaching temperatures beyond 100 million degrees Celsius. This lasted for a stunning 17 minutes and 46 seconds, demonstrating a new record for the longest sustained ultra-hot plasma in a controlled environment.

This impressive demonstration, announced on January 20, 2025, was led by researchers from the Institute of Plasma Physics under the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The team has consistently pushed the boundaries of fusion research, and this latest accomplishment builds on their previous record of 403 seconds, achieved in May 2023.

The temperatures reached by EAST are equivalent to those found in the core of stars, where fusion naturally occurs. However, unlike stars, fusion reactors on Earth face the challenge of maintaining these extreme temperatures and pressures in a controlled setting to produce sustained, useful energy.

"This is a crucial step towards making fusion reactors a consistent energy source," said Song Yuntao, director at the Institute of Plasma Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. "To generate power continuously, fusion devices need stable operation at high efficiency for thousands of seconds."

China’s achievements with EAST are also vital for the international collaboration on ITER, the world’s largest fusion experiment. Alongside other major stakeholders, China is refining the design and operations of ITER, with a full-scale nuclear fusion power plant now expected for 2034.