China's 'Artificial Sun' Sets New Fusion Record with 1,000-Second Plasma Containment

The EAST reactor achieved temperatures exceeding 100 million degrees Celsius, marking significant progress toward sustainable nuclear fusion energy.

China's Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) reactor confined plasma for 1,000 seconds, breaking its previous record of 403 seconds set in 2023.
The reactor reached temperatures over 100 million degrees Celsius, replicating conditions found in stars like the Sun to advance nuclear fusion research.
Nuclear fusion, often called the 'holy grail' of energy, aims to provide a limitless, green energy source with minimal environmental risks compared to nuclear fission.
Despite this milestone, the reactor has not yet achieved ignition, the point where fusion reactions generate more energy than they consume.
The achievement underscores China's leadership in fusion research, with plans to further develop next-generation facilities to accelerate practical applications of fusion energy.