When it comes to pure energy sources, many recall nuclear energy using nuclear division. However, there is another potential source that contributes to sustainable development – thermonuclear synthesis.
Thermonuclear synthesis is a process in which two atomic nuclei unite, forming a heavier core. This process is a source of the energy of the Sun and Stars.
In the effort to use solar energy, China is building a scientific object called CompreHensive Research Facility for Fusion Technology (Craft) in the province of Aniha. According to reports by the official news agency Xinhua, the object will develop key technologies for obtaining thermonuclear energy energy.
Complete Craft construction is scheduled for 2025. This is the largest object in China on the study of thermonuclear synthesis, which received the nickname “Kuaph” in honor of the mythical giant from Chinese mythology.
Photos published by Xinhua show a camera in the form of a donut, where synthesis experiments will be carried out. Anhai also has another thermonuclear synthesis object – Experimental Advanced Supercondting Tokamak (East). In December 2021, East announced the creation of plasma with a temperature of about 70 million degrees Celsius and holding it for 1.056 seconds.
Thermonuclear synthesis can be the key to the pure energy of the future. It does not leave radioactive waste and is considered safer than nuclear division. According to Xinhua, one liter of sea water contains enough deater for the production of thermonuclear synthesis energy, equivalent to burning 300 liters of gasoline.
Hu Jiangen, Deputy Director of the Plasma Institute of Physics, said China can achieve the practical use of thermonuclear energy after about 30-50 years.
Given the studies conducted at the EAST facility and the construction of a new reactor in France, the world is approaching the possibility of sustainable use of cosmic energy.