China's experimental EAST fusion reactor, known as the "artificial sun," has set a new world record by maintaining plasma temperatures of 87.8 million degrees Celsius for over 30 minutes—six times hotter than the Sun's core. This achievement surpasses both its previous record of 17.5 minutes and the French "WEST" reactor, which sustained plasma interaction for 22 minutes in February 2025.

Nuclear fusion occurs in stars when atomic nuclei merge, generating immense energy without producing harmful radioactive waste. Scientists are striving to replicate this clean and sustainable energy inside fusion reactors, but this requires maintaining extreme temperatures and pressure for long durations—making milestones like this crucial steps toward that goal.

The experimental reactor utilizes powerful magnetic fields to confine plasma—charged hydrogen atoms—within a ring-shaped chamber, keeping it suspended and burning since no material can withstand such extreme heat.

China aims to establish a fully operational fusion power plant by 2035, and this record-breaking achievement marks significant progress. If successful, it could transform the global energy landscape, providing an endless supply of clean energy that might ultimately replace fossil fuels entirely.