Solar Power

Scientists' creation of a record-breaking "artificial sun" brings nuclear fusion energy a step closer to being a commercial reality

- IAN RANDALL

CHINA'S "ARTIFICIAL SUN"-formally known as the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak, and based in Hefei-has maintained steady-state, high-confinement plasma operation for 17 minutes and 46 seconds. That's nearly triple the previous world record of 6 minutes and 43 seconds, which was also set by EAST in 2023.

Fusion reactors-which replicate the energy-producing processes that power the stars themselveshave the potential to revolutionize the energy sector.

"We hope to expand international collaboration via EAST and bring fusion energy into practical use for humanity," Professor Yuntao Song, director of the Chinese Academy of Sciences Institute of Plasma Physics, said in a statement.