NASA’s Artificial Sun
The search for a Source of Energy purely based on our Scientific achievement is something that has been ongoing for quite a long time and multiple countries are in this race trying their best to make this a possibility NASA is one such group that has been trying to create an Artificial Sun here on Earth.
NASA's artificial sun has set a new record and this could change how we produce and consume energy. This is huge because they managed to keep their artificial sun running for over 1000 seconds, which burned 6 times hotter than the sun, breaking the previous record of 400 seconds. Now 1000 Seconds might not sound that long but trust me it is a huge deal and a huge improvement from their previous record.
Here's how they did this. The reactor which they called EAST, heats up a special gas to temperatures hotter than the center of our sun and uses powerful magnets to keep it floating because nothing on Earth can actually touch something that hot. Unlike nuclear fission, where atoms are split apart releasing energy, fusion combines atoms together like what happens in stars.
What makes this huge is that it takes us a step closer to creating unlimited fusion energy that could power entire cities without producing any harmful waste. India has also committed 2,500 Crores Rupees to fusion research and holds a 9% stake in ITER which stands for International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor which is a 20 billion dollar international fusion reactor project in France, which is considered the world's largest fusion experiment as of right now.
Through this collaboration, India aims to develop its own fusion reactor while advancing its nuclear program to address the country's growing energy needs.
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China's "artificial sun," the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST), recently achieved a record-breaking 1,066 seconds of sustained, high-confinement plasma operation, a significant step towards fusion energy. This is a key milestone in the quest for clean and sustainable energy, but it's important to note that this is a research project, not a commercial power source.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
What is EAST?
The Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST), also known as China's "artificial sun," is a nuclear fusion reactor designed to study and develop fusion energy technology.
The Breakthrough:
EAST achieved a new record by maintaining a steady-state high-confinement plasma operation for 1,066 seconds, surpassing its previous record of 403 seconds.
Significance:
This achievement is a significant step towards developing practical fusion reactors that could generate clean and limitless energy.
Fusion vs. Fission:
Fusion, like the process that powers the sun, involves combining atomic nuclei to release energy, while fission (used in current nuclear power plants) involves splitting atoms.
Location:
The EAST reactor is located in Hefei, in China's Anhui Province.
NASA's Role:
While China's EAST project is a major initiative in fusion research, NASA is also involved in fusion research, but primarily through supporting research and development of fusion-related technologies, according to NASA's website.