Why do we need the “Artificial Sun”?
Currently, most fuels used by humans in daily life and industrial production are derived from fossil energy sources such as coal and petroleum. These are non-renewable and associated with certain pollution issues. However, the “Artificial Sun” that is a controllable nuclear fusion research device, can replace fossil energy, providing humanity with nearly unlimited clean energy. It can simulate the nuclear fusion reactions inside the Sun, releasing enormous energy continuously and stably. Therefore, fusion energy is also known as humanity’s “ultimate energy source”.
Three core advantages of Nuclear Fusion
(1) Abundant fuel supply
The reactants required for controlled nuclear fusion – deuterium (D) atoms and tritium (T) atoms are extremely abundant on Earth. Deuterium is found in vast reserves in seawater: the deuterium extracted from 1 liter of seawater can release energy equivalent to that from burning 300 liters of gasoline when fully fused. Tritium, on the other hand, can be produced through the reaction of neutrons with lithium, and lithium is also widely abundant in the Earth’s crust and seawater.
(2) Environmental friendliness
The products of controlled nuclear fusion are helium and neutrons. It emits no harmful gases and produces almost no radioactive pollution, making it environmentally benign.
(3) High safety
Deuterium plasma and tritium plasma under fusion are confined by magnetic fields in a vacuum vessel. Its density is several orders of magnitude lower than that of air, and the deuterium-tritium fuel content in fusion reactors is relatively low. Therefore, it cannot cause explosions or leakage accidents.
The three national strategic heavyweights of China’s Nuclear Fusion
To develop and utilize fusion energy, China has designed and constructed a series of controlled nuclear fusion devices. EAST, BEST, and CRAFT have emerged as core facilities, serving as the three national strategic heavyweights in China’s nuclear fusion research.
(1) Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST)
It constructs a “magnetic field cage” using fully superconducting magnets. Plasma within the magnetic field replicates nuclear fusion reactions inside the Sun, essentially stabilizing and confining the “fireball” within the cage.
(2) Comprehensive Research Facility for Fusion Technology (CRAFT)
To realize commercial fusion power generation, it is responsible for translating laboratory concepts into reality. It provides mature technologies and component support for future demonstration reactors and commercial reactors.
(3) Burning plasma Experimental Superconducting Tokamak (BEST)
Unlike the other two devices, it features a stronger magnetic field and will practically demonstrate the “burning” of deuterium plasma and tritium plasma. China is expected to achieve the world’s first fusion energy generation.
From EAST to BEST, China has demonstrated strong independent innovation capabilities in the high-tech field. Song, Vice President of the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), stated: “Once nuclear fusion energy is realized, it will enable humanity to travel from this planet to another, making interstellar navigation a reality for humankind.”