South Korean scientists have achieved a remarkable milestone in nuclear fusion research using the Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research (KSTAR) device, often referred to as an “artificial Sun” nuclear fusion reactor. According to CNN, during tests conducted between December 2023 and February 2024, the team successfully generated plasma temperatures of 100 million degrees Celsius for an unprecedented duration of 48 seconds. This achievement surpasses their previous record of just 30 seconds set in 2021.
Si-Woo Yoon, director of the KSTAR Research Center, attributed this success to thorough hardware testing and campaign preparation despite the challenges posed by the unstable nature of high-temperature plasma. He expressed the team’s determination to sustain plasma temperatures of 100 million degrees Celsius for an extended period, aiming for 300 seconds by 2026.
Nuclear fusion, the process that powers the Sun and stars, holds the promise of providing limitless energy while minimizing planet-warming carbon pollution. Fusion reactors, such as the tokamak utilized in KSTAR, aim to replicate this reaction by heating hydrogen variants to extreme temperatures, creating plasma where fusion reactions occur. Achieving and maintaining high-temperature and high-density plasmas for prolonged durations are essential for the success of fusion energy.
The scientists achieved this breakthrough by optimizing the fusion process, including using tungsten diverters instead of carbon. These diverters help extract heat and impurities generated during the fusion reaction, contributing to the prolonged duration of high-temperature plasma.
Mr. Yoon emphasized that this record-setting achievement will not only enhance the performance of future fusion reactors like ITER but also accelerate the commercialization of fusion energy. The successful advancement in nuclear fusion research brings humanity one step closer to harnessing the vast potential of fusion energy for a sustainable future.
Read Now:Study Finds Good Sleep Can Make You Feel Years Younger
