Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: EAST Project; Artificial Sun
Why in the News?
China’s Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST), commonly referred to as the Artificial Sun, has set a new world record by sustaining a high-confinement plasma operation for 1066 seconds. The artificial sun reached an extreme temperature of 100 million degrees Celsius, surpassing its own previous record of 403 seconds.
What is the EAST Project?
Comparison with Other Fusion Projects
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Significance of This Achievement
- Record-Breaking Fusion Operation: EAST sustained plasma at 100 million°C for 1066 seconds, surpassing its previous record of 403 seconds.
- Progress Toward Fusion Power Plants: Prolonged plasma confinement is crucial for achieving continuous, self-sustaining fusion reactions.
- Potential for Clean Energy: Fusion produces zero carbon emissions and could serve as an unlimited energy source once commercially viable.
- Global Competition: Other projects like ITER (France) and KSTAR (Korea) are also advancing fusion research, aiming for similar breakthroughs.
Challenges in Nuclear Fusion
- Extreme Temperatures: Plasma must be sustained at over 100 million°C, requiring high-energy input.
- Material Limitations: Reactor components must withstand intense heat and radiation, yet no material can do so indefinitely.
- Energy Input vs. Output: Current reactors consume more energy than they generate, preventing commercial viability.
- Magnetic Confinement Issues: Plasma instability can disrupt reactions, making sustained fusion difficult.
- High Costs: Fusion research requires expensive superconductors, cryogenics, and containment systems.
Difference between Nuclear Fusion and Fission
Nuclear Fusion | Nuclear Fission | |
Process | Combines atomic nuclei to release energy. | Splits heavy nuclei to release energy. |
Energy Output | Much higher than fission. | Comparatively lower. |
Fuel Source | Hydrogen isotopes (Deuterium, Tritium)—abundant in seawater. | Uranium-235, Plutonium-239—limited supply. |
Waste Production | Minimal radioactive waste (helium byproduct). | Produces long-lived radioactive waste. |
Environmental Risk | No meltdown risk, completely safe. | Risk of radiation leaks (e.g., Chernobyl, Fukushima). |
Current Feasibility | Still experimental, not yet commercially viable. | Commercially used in nuclear power plants. |
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