![\"China](\"https:\/\/wp-assets.futurism.com\/2020\/12\/china-artificial-sun-fusion-reactor-300x158.jpg\")
<\/div>Artificial Sun<\/h2>
China has successfully powered up its “artificial sun” nuclear fusion reactor for the first time, according to Agence France Presse<\/em><\/a>.<\/p> The reactor, which is the country’s largest, could one day generate power without running the risk of a nuclear meltdown — or emitting greenhouse gases — by fusing atoms together rather than breaking them apart.<\/p> The technical challenges, though, are steep. The system’s HL-2M Tokamak reactor needs to be heated up to ten times the temperature of the core of the Sun, or about 150 million degrees Celsius, according to the state-run Chinese newspaper People’s Daily<\/em> — hence the reactor’s nickname.<\/p> “The development of nuclear fusion energy is not only a way to solve China’s strategic energy needs, but also has great significance for the future sustainable development of China’s energy and national economy,” the People’s Daily<\/em> wrote, as quoted by AFP<\/em>.<\/p> While the news represents a meaningful step forward, achieving fusion still requires far more energy than the amount that’s actually being generated — not to mention the sky high costs involved in running such a reactor.<\/p> Despite the uphill battle, the international community is investing billions<\/a> in developing fusion reactors that could one day become a feasible source of energy. Engineers recently started construction<\/a> on the world’s largest reactor, an international collaborative effort between 35 countries called ITER, in southern France.<\/p> READ MORE: <\/strong>China turns on nuclear-powered ‘artificial sun’<\/a> [Agence France Presse<\/em>]<\/p> More on fusion:<\/strong> Scientists Just Fired Up an Experimental Fusion Reactor<\/a><\/em><\/p> The post China Just Powered Up Its “Artificial Sun” Fusion Reactor<\/a> appeared first on Futurism<\/a>.<\/p> The rest is here: Artificial Sun China has successfully powered up its \u201cartificial sun\u201d nuclear fusion reactor for the first time, according to Agence France Presse . The reactor, which is the country\u2019s largest, could one day generate power without running the risk of a nuclear meltdown \u2014 or emitting greenhouse gases \u2014 by fusing atoms together rather than breaking them apart Continue reading Clean Energy<\/h2>
China Just Powered Up Its “Artificial Sun” Fusion Reactor<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"