Harnessing the power of nuclear fusion would allow for the creation of unlimited clean energy. However, controlling nuclear fusion is no easy feat as nuclear fusion requires a great deal of energy and power, and Chinese scientists were able to accomplish this by building an industrial phenotype that would harness the energy and power that is necessary for nuclear fusion.
On December 4th, 2020, China successfully activated its nuclear-powered Artificial Sun for the first time. The HL-2M Tokamak reactor, nicknamed the “Artificial Sun” is currently being tested at the Institute of Plasma Physics under the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Hefei. It is part of China’s Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) project, which launched in 2006.
How does the Artificial Sun Function?
According to China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC), the HL-2M Tokamak is able to operate at 150 million degrees Celsius, nearly three times hotter than the previous version (HL-2A) and more than six times as hot as the sun. For reference, the Sun is around 15 million degrees Celsius at its core. The plasma from China’s artificial sun has reached a temperature of 100 million degrees Celsius. Both the reactors (HL-2M and HL-2A) are intended to mimic the physics of stars by combining atomic nuclei, which then releases massive amounts of energy that can be controlled and later turned into electricity. This process is known as Nuclear Fusion. Fusion emits no greenhouse gases, which is beneficial for the environment, but achieving fusion is extremely difficult and expensive, with the total cost estimated at $22.5 billion dollars.
Conclusion
On July 3rd, 2017, China’s Artificial Sun reached a milestone by setting a world record with a stable 101.2 second performance. Regardless of the challenges, each milestone is a significant step towards the goal of a cleaner, hydrogen-fueled energy. The International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor scientists are continuing to work on the HL-2M Tokamak. They predict that a completed prototype of the Artificial Sun will be accomplished by 2025, so the future towards cleaner energy is looking pretty bright!
Sources:
https://www.thesun.co.uk/tech/8593244/china-artificial-sun-temperature/
https://www.sciencealert.com/china-just-powered-up-its-artificial-sun-nuclear-fusion-reactor
https://www.businessinsider.com/chinas-artificial-sun-nuclear-fusion-hotter-than-actual-sun-2018-11
https://phys.org/news/2017-07-china-artificial-sun-world-steady-state.html
这个很有趣。我以前没听说过中国有做一个artificial sun。但是我觉得这是一个很好的一件事情。这会帮人类去掉化石燃料。
Great article! The idea of an artificial sun seems so outlandish so I’m really surprised that people have actually created one! It’s even more surprising when you consider that it’s even hotter the sun. This technology seems to have huge potential for a future devoid of fossil fuels and carbon emissions.
Amazing article, Natasha! I recently learned about nuclear fusion in my AP Environmental Science class, so this article was so intriguing and informative. I had read somewhere that nuclear fusion requires temperatures 10x that of Sun’s core, which, to me, sounds nearly impossible. However, I’m not surprised that China has made some breakthroughs with nuclear fusion. I think the nickname for the HL-2M Tokamak reactor, “Artificial Sun,” is more than fitting. Nuclear fusion is a great alternative to using fossil fuels, which contributes high amounts of greenhouse gases to our atmosphere. Thanks for sharing!
Amazing Article Natasha! I learned much about the HL-2M Tokamak reactor is able to operate at 150 million degrees! The article was very informal and I learned a lot from it. Thank you for sharing!
This is the first time that I’ve ever seen a contraption for nuclear fusion, and I’m very surprised. China is surely up to date with modern ways of harvesting energy past the usage of coal and oil. Reading this article made me very excited for the future of renewable energy for China.
Very interesting article! I enjoyed learning about the HL-2m Tokamak and how they are intended to mimic the physics of stars. But wow! 150 million degrees Celsius and 22.5 billion dollars to make it. I guess anything is worth it in order to make a cleaner source of energy.
This was a very interesting article to read! I was first intrigued by the title of the article, and after reading about the HL-2M Tokamak, I was quite impressed to see something man-made was over 6 times as hot as our own sun. 150 million degrees is the highest temperature man has created and that in it of itself is impressive. This could have much potential in the future.
This was a great article!! It’s very interesting on how something man made could be so advanced and could produce something so hot.
Great article! It’s crazy that this design, which is man-made, can mimic the physics of stars. I’m very excited for this project to be finished because creating an artificial sun can open up so many opportunities for the future.