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.
6 Remarkable Yet Overlooked Minds That Shaped Our World
These underappreciated geniuses deserve more recognition.
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.
Future Now: Are Zero Emission Planes the Future of Flight?
Airbus announced a new concept of zero-emission hydrogen-powered planes, and news outlets are already calling it the future of aircraft engineering
These Facts Unveil the True Power of Nuclear Energy
Here are some facts about nuclear power, an up and coming source of renewable energy that you probably didn't know
8 Inventions of 2023 That Will Change The Way We Live
This year was a prominent one for ground-breaking innovations that will change the way we live.
Incredible New Bionic Arm Fuses With Woman's Nerves
Karin's bionic hand is real sci fi, making her one of the first true cyborgs.
Satisfy Your Curiosity About the Universe with These Q&As
Discover more about the universe by reading through these facts.
What’s it Like Using a 115-Inch TV?!
This colossal 115-Inch TV will transform your viewing experience forever.
Toilets: The Greatest Medical Advancement in Human History
While toilets make some people laugh, they are actually a deadly serious medical advancement. This video explains what toilets mean to civilization.
Incredible: This Man Got the First Double-Arm Transplant
Felix Gretarsson got burned in both arms and needed the new ones. For that purpose, he went through history's FIRST 2-arm transplant.
7 Exciting Physics Tricks You Have to See!
Watch these seven remarkable physics tricks in this exciting and fun video.
Doctors Make History With First Whole Eye Transplant
Surgeons in New York have performed the world’s first transplant of an entire human eye!
Researchers Claim This Ingredient Can Cure Depression!
A preliminary study has suggested that magic mushrooms may be able to soothe the symptoms of depression. Read here to find out more.
Watch This Man Build a Future Using Trash from the Past
In this video, you will see what this incredible community has been able to accomplish by building homes from recycled materials.
You Wouldn't Believe How Far Technology Has Come
Take a look at the advancements of technology in this video. Impressive.
12 Mind-Blowing Archaeological Discoveries Of 2022
Archaeologists made some remarkable discoveries in 2022. Here is a look at the most fascinating ones.
Behind the Scenes of the Human-Like Atlas Robot
In this video, we get a behind-the-scenes look at the development of the incredible Atlas robot.
Travel From the Sun to Pluto With Our Interactive Guide!
The solar system is a fascinating place, and we wanted to bring you an interactive journey that you can use to travel through it. Enjoy the journey!
How Your Eye Came to Be the Color It Is...
Why do we have different-colored eyes, and what does it mean?
6 Signs That Someone is Listening on Your Cellphone Calls!
With technology advancing all the time, there is the ever-increasing chance of our phones being tapped. Here are 6 signs that your phone could be tapped.
This Is Why You Should Choose Paper Towels Over Air Dryers
Jet air dryers seem to provide a rapid solution to drying our hands in public restrooms, but they're actually havens for bacteria. Take a look.
Why is Everyone Obsessed with This Weight-Loss Tool?
Ozempic has been touted as a wonder drug for weight loss in recent months. But what's the real truth behind it?
These Inventions Prove the Middle Ages Were Not So “Dark”
These groundbreaking inventions prove the Middle Ages were not so “dark,” after all!
These Fire Tricks Will Wow You, But Don't Try Them!
These fire tricks are incredible to look at, but please don't try this at home...
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.
8 Lies We've Been Told About Electricity
These incorrect facts about electricity have been perpetuated long enough. It's time to disprove them.
10 Classic Paradoxes fom Philosophy, Math, and Physics
in every sphere of human knowledge, we’re bound to run into inconsistencies. That’s how fascinating paradoxes like these are born.
Scientists Finally Know Why We Love Cute Things
We find some things to be irresistibly cute. But why? Let’s find out.
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.
STUDY: The Effect of Personality on Our Level of Happiness
Researchers finally know which types of people will always be happier than others.
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.
Future Technology: Inventions That Will Change Our World
Check out a few amazing futuristic inventions that are about to become mainstream.
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!
Here Are the 16 Oldest Household Objects in the World
If you think ancient life is remote, these pre-historic household items will make you think again. Just look at how old they are!
16 Surprising Things I Never Knew About Sleeping!
Who knew there was so much we don't know about our most popular activity! Here are 16 facts you may not have known about your sleep.
This Incredible Documentary Takes You Into the Human Body
A beautiful and graphically advanced animation sheds light on the mysteries of the human body.
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.
50 Crazy But True Facts About Dreams You Need to Know
Here are some strange and unusual facts about dreams that will surprise you.
Breathalyzers May Be More Important Than You Thought
This video does a great job in breaking down how in the future, breath analysis can be used to detect disease and prevent more invasive procedures.
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.
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.
The Psychology Behind Why Some People Are Habitually Late
Now we finally know why some people are habitually late.
13 Incredible ROOF INNOVATIONS For Your House
Keep the roof of your house safe with these incredibly useful inventions.
The McGurk Effect - Don't Believe Your Eyes!
What we hear can be affected by what we see...
10 New Things We've Learned About The Brain
We have learned some astonishing new things about the human brain in recent times.
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.