China’s Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) is called “artificial sun,” has achieved a new milestone in nuclear fusion research. The reactor maintained a continuous loop of plasma for 1,066 seconds, surpassing its previous record of 403 seconds. It was reported on January 20, 2025 The success represents an important step toward realizing nuclear fusion and highlights progress in maintaining plasma as a virtually unlimited clean energy source. is a high-energy state of matter that is critical.
East’s latest milestone
As informed According to Chinese state media, via Live Science, EAST functions as a magnetic confinement reactor designed to retain plasma for extended periods. The recent success was made possible by upgrades to the reactor, including an upgraded heating system with double the power. Song Yuntao, director of the Institute of Plasma Physics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, described the experiment as important for future fusion power plants. Speaking to Chinese media, he stressed the need for stable plasma operation over thousands of seconds to achieve continuous power output.
Understanding Fusion Reactors
Nuclear fusion mimics the Sun by fusing light atoms under intense heat and pressure to form heavy atoms, releasing energy in the process. Unlike the Sun, where extreme pressure aids the reaction, Earth-based reactors rely on extremely high temperatures. Despite the promise of abundant and clean energy, fusion reactors currently consume more energy than they produce.
Global efforts in fusion technology
China is a participant in the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) programme, a multinational initiative aimed at advancing fusion research. ITER, located in France, is expected to begin operations in 2039 and will test sustained fusion. Data from EAST’s experiments will support ITER and other global projects.
The milestone achieved by EAST marks progress in fusion technology, although decades of research remain before its application in power generation becomes viable.
