According to media reports from the past weekend, China’s “artificial sun” nuclear fusion reactor, called HL-2M Tokamak, was powered up successfully for the first time. This development is significant as it could revolutionize the way we produce and consume energy.
The reactor uses a powerful magnetic field to fuse hot plasma and can currently reach temperatures of over 280 million degrees Fahrenheit (150 million degrees Celsius). To get some perspective, this temperature is approximately ten times hotter than the core of the sun, hence the nickname 'artificial sun’.
"The development of nuclear fusion energy is not only a way to solve China's strategic energy needs, but also has great significance for the future sustainable development of China's energy and national economy," according to the statement given by the team to People's Daily. In other words, the HL-2M Tokamak could potentially be a powerful and much-needed clean energy source.
The way fusion works is by merging atomic nuclei to create massive amounts of energy - the opposite of the fission process used in atomic weapons and nuclear power plants, which split them into fragments. Unlike fission, fusion emits no greenhouse gases and carries less risk of accidents or the theft of atomic material.
Chinese scientists have been at work on this project since 2006. The plan is to use the device in collaboration with the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) - the world's largest nuclear fusion research project based in southern France, which is expected to be completed in 2025, and its total cost is estimated to be a whopping $22.5 billion.
Related: 16 Random and Interesting Facts About Nuclear Power
HL-2M Tokamak Image source: YouTube
There are 25 nations overall collaborating in the work on ITER. The goal is to build a device designed to prove the practicality and usefulness of fusion as a carbon-free source of energy based on the same principle that powers our Sun and stars.
"ITER will be the first fusion device to maintain fusion for long periods of time. And ITER will be the first fusion device to test the integrated technologies, materials, and physics regimes necessary for the commercial production of fusion-based electricity," writes the project's website.
Time will tell whether nuclear fusion becomes a viable and affordable source of energy production, but China’s recent achievement with HL-2M Tokamak and its forthcoming collaboration with ITER is certainly an important and fascinating step forward.
Cover image source: Interesting Engineering/ Chinese Academy of Sciences
Share this news with family and friends
COVID-19 Daily Report: Relevant Info on The Pandemic
Keep regular tab on the the spread of the novel coronavirus throughout the world with our daily updates.
Meet the Fish That Can Help Hold Back Aging in Humans
A recent study has revealed that African turquoise killifish are able to arrest the growth of their embryos for a long time.
6 Remarkable Yet Overlooked Minds That Shaped Our World
These underappreciated geniuses deserve more recognition.
Looking Back at 10 Important News Stories of This Decade
The current decade is coming to an end. Now is the right time to look back at some of the major news stories from the last 10 years.
2023 in Science: Biggest Discoveries You Missed!
Let’s take a look at the most amazing scientific discoveries that made news this year.
Even More Happy and Positive News From 2021
Turns out happy and positive things occur around the world all the time. Here are 13 happy news stories form 2021!
25 Pics Showing How People in the Past Imagined the Future
Let’s see how the people of the past imagined the future and find out if their fun predictions came true with these 25 vintage pictures
24 Confusing Optical Illusions Explained - Fascinating!
How do our eyes fool the brain? Let's find out as a neuroscientist explains the truth behind the most confusing optical illusions.
These Archaeological Finds Left the World Mystified
Find out more about the most mysterious discoveries that archaeologists made.
The Channel Tunnel - The 7th Wonder of the Modern World!
The construction of the Channel Tunnel is said to be an impossible feat!
The Surprisingly Convoluted History of Traffic Lights
What did the first-ever traffic light look like? Probably stranger than you imagine...
Thought Nature is Wild? See It Under a Microscope
You won't believe the things you could discover by looking at everyday items under a microscope.
Guide: All About the Gut-Brain Connection in Your Body
it's becoming increasingly clear just how influential our tiny gut microbes are in shaping our mood and even our overall health.
25 Feats of Engineering that Leave Everyone Amazed
The amount of planning and sheer brain power it took to design and execute these structures, proving once again that there are true geniuses out there.
The Oldest Medicines That Have Stood the Test of Time
Learn about some fascinating old medicine and general healing practices that have survived for thousands of years.
WHY is Sugar So Devilishy Addictive?
There seems to be a fascinating scientific explanation for why our will power is weak when it comes to sugar!
7 Little-Known Body Parts We Never Knew About
Here's a look at some of the weird and little-known body parts that you didn’t know you had.
What on Earth Is a Black Hole? This Video Explains All...
What on Earth are black holes, how do they affect us, and should we be at all worried about their existence? Find out here.
Fascinating Science: How Old Can We Actually Get?
All things being equal, and technology continually progressing - How old can a human body really get?
19 Things to AVOID to Make Your Phone Live Longer
19 common mistakes we all make, that make our phones age quicker.
14 of the Most Fascinating Specialized Tools You'll See
We bet you haven’t seen these unique tools before!
INTERACTIVE: A Guide to the Workings of the Human Body
The human body is the most complex machine known to man, and the amount of things it has to do to keep us alive is incredible. View this interactive guide now.
Erecting a Behemoth: Installation of an Offshore Oilrig
How do they install an offshore oilrig? This video will show you, step by step, how it is done.
The Accidental Discovery of the World’s First Antibiotic
Not too long ago, it was fairly common to die of the simplest of wounds due to bacterial infection. Penicillin changed everything.
New Study: There is a Sure Way to Slow Aging
This new study confirms what has long been suspected: The less calories we consume, the slower we age.
If Molecules Were People - Fascinating!
A great way, through fascinating animation, to learn about some of the properties of molecules...
Scientists Develop 'Flying Dragon' Robot to Fight Fires
Scientists in Japan have created a water-spitting 'flying dragon' robot to fight fires.
Sleep Inventions: 16 Gadgets to Help You Doze Off
If you frequently struggle with sleep, then trying these amazing new sleep innovations could help change your life.
Revolutionize Your Green Space: 12 Cool Garden Gadgets
Take your garden to the next level with the amazingly cool inventions and gadgets.
Why Are Your Ears Ringing? The Causes Explained
Nearly 15% of the human population worldwide are plagued by this strange sensation, but most people don't know the causes behind ringing in the ears...
Remembering the Life and Wisdom of Stephen Hawking
Stephen Hawking possessed one of the greatest minds the world has ever seen, but was also impaired by a debilitating disease. Here are his life ant times.
What Metals Do We Mine the Most? This Graph Shows All!
Did you know the world mined 2.8 billion tonnes of metals in 2021? Let’s discover what metals we mined the most.
9 UNBELIEVABLE Ice Science Tricks That'l Amaze You
Prepare to be amazed as ice takes center stage in these mind-boggling and unconventional science experiments.
The Disappearing Computer: Revolution on a Personal Scale
What happens when we lose the physical large computer all together? This lecture explains what ahead for computers.
Fascinating: Do You See the Same Colors As I Do?
This video will discuss the age old questions: do we see the same colors others see?
What is the Largest Organism on Earth?
You may think you know which animal is the largest on earth, but you may be mistaken...
7 Exciting Physics Tricks You Have to See!
Watch these seven remarkable physics tricks in this exciting and fun video.
Are Smartphones Making Us Stupid? This Will Surprise You!
If you use a smartphone you need to see this!
You Wouldn't Believe How Far Technology Has Come
Take a look at the advancements of technology in this video. Impressive.
Chocolate Exposed! Here's What It Does to Your Brain!
Just what is it that makes chocolate so irresistible to so many people around the world? Find all of the answers in the article.
The Science Behind Why Laughter is the Best Medicine
They say laughter is the best medicine. But why exactly do we laugh?
Take an Incredible Tour of Our Colossal Milky Way Galaxy
Fly Through the Milky Way Galaxy!
The Magical Geometry of Crystals and How It Came to Be
How and why crystals are formed in such distinctive shapes that look like a human must have shaped them.
What Does Medicine ACTUALLY Do In the Body? Fascinating.
What really happens in our bodies when we take medicine, have you ever wondered? This video will answer your question.
This Visual Shows the Science Behind the Shape of Rivers
A fascinating visual model that explains why and how rivers change their course.
I Bet You Didn't Have a Clue About These Human Body Facts!
The human body is the most complex machine known to mankind, but I bet you don't know these 10 amazing facts about it...
6 Shocking Truths About Coffee You Never Knew
Have you been believing these common coffee myths too?