China activates its new "artificial sun" for the first time

China's new "artificial sun".

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China has activated for the first time its nuclear fusion reactor called HL-2M Tokamak, the country's authorities said on Saturday (December 5th).

This innovation could make it possible to produce clean energy without greenhouse gas emissions or any waste, reports

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It is part of the international ITER project which involves 35 countries.

A technology to improve

HL-2M Tokamak is nicknamed the "artificial sun".

The principle of fusion which animates it is the same as that of the solar star.

It is about transforming hydrogen into helium.

But the temperatures far exceed those produced by the sun.

This "artificial sun" can reach up to 200 million degrees against 15 million degrees at the heart of the Sun.

For now, scientists have not yet mastered the technology.

Failure to maintain temperatures in a sustainable manner, the walls of the tank in which the melting takes place do not resist.

In France, the ITER project is located in Saint-Paul-lès-Durance (Bouches-du-Rhône).

Scientists are aiming for 150 million degrees.

But the tests won't start until 2025.

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