China has achieved another significant milestone in its ongoing effort to develop a groundbreaking energy source through nuclear fusion. The Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST), often called China's "artificial sun," successfully maintained plasma for 1,000 seconds. According to a Live Science report citing Chinese media, this achievement surpasses its previous record of 403 seconds, set in 2023.

For decades, scientists have aimed to power up nuclear fusion to meet global energy demands. However, achieving temperatures exceeding 100 million degrees Celsius and maintaining stable long-term operation has been a formidable challenge. With this recent success in sustaining plasma for 1,000 seconds, researchers believe they have made a significant breakthrough toward advancing the technology.

“A fusion device must achieve stable operation at high efficiency for thousands of seconds to enable the self-sustaining circulation of plasma, which is critical for the continuous power generation of future fusion plants,” explained Song Yuntao, director of the Institute of Plasma Physics under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, in comments to Chinese state media.

"We hope to expand international collaboration via EAST and bring fusion energy into practical use for humanity," said Mr Song.

The nuclear reactor has not yet reached ignition, the stage where nuclear fusion generates its own energy and sustains the reactions independently. However, the newly set record marks a promising advancement toward achieving extended, stable plasma loops that could power future reactors.

Chinese scientists have been operating the EAST reactor since 2006, conducting hundreds of thousands of tests. Encouraged by EAST's success, China has initiated the construction of next-generation experimental fusion research facilities in Anhui Province, eastern China, intending to accelerate the development and practical application of fusion energy.

Nuclear fusion is often called the "holy grail" of energy production. The process powers the Sun, where atomic nuclei merge to release enormous amounts of energy. This stands in contrast to nuclear fission, the process used in nuclear power plants and atomic weapons, where a heavy atom is split into smaller pieces.

Unlike fission, fusion does not produce greenhouse gases and poses a significantly lower risk of accidents or theft of atomic materials. By replicating the natural reaction that occurs in the Sun, scientists aim to develop a technology capable of generating near-unlimited energy. This breakthrough could address the global energy crisis and potentially support humanity’s ventures into deep space exploration.