Chinese nuclear firm hails step forward in quest to build ‘artificial sun’ - South China Morning Post
Nuclear fusion: Chinese power firm hails step forward in quest to build ‘artificial sun’ | South China Morning Post
The breakthrough was made by the China National Nuclear Corporation’s latest version of a tokamak machine. Photo: Handout
Nuclear fusion: Chinese power firm hails step forward in quest to build ‘artificial sun’
- The China National Nuclear Corporation said it has generated a plasma current of more than 1 million amps in high-confinement mode
- Chinese research teams and other scientists around the world are trying to develop technology that will provide safe and clean energy from nuclear reactions
The breakthrough was made by the China National Nuclear Corporation’s latest version of a tokamak machine. Photo: Handout
Related Knowledge Center: ENERGY BASICS: nuclear
Nuclear energy provides almost 20 percent of the U.S. electricity supply. Advocates have called for an expanded role for nuclear as an emissions-free fuel source. But the economics of building new reactors are daunting. In addition, lingering safety concerns are an institutionalized part of the calculation of nuclear regulation, and highly radioactive nuclear waste remains a can that public officials have been inclined to kick down the road. The Energy Information Administration projects a sharp decline in nuclear power generation over the next decade, as new nuclear plants — two are planned — are more than offset by anticipated retirements of several operating reactors.