The WEST reactor in France achieved a world record by maintaining plasma for over 22 minutes, a significant breakthrough in nuclear fusion technology. The ability to keep plasma stable is crucial, as this process harnesses energy from fusing atoms. The reactor uses magnetic fields to confine plasma, preventing it from dispersing. This achievement surpasses a previous record set by China's EAST reactor and is seen as pivotal in the quest for a sustainable and clean energy future through nuclear fusion, which holds advantages over nuclear fission in safety and waste management.
'WEST has achieved a new key technological milestone by maintaining hydrogen plasma for more than twenty minutes through the injection of 2 MW of heating power. Experiments will continue with increased power.'
The 22-minute achievement for the reactor, which is called a magnetic confinement reactor and confines plasma into a doughnut shape using a machine called a tokamak, is impressive because, as recently as two years ago, plasma had only been maintained in this type of reactor for less than seven minutes.
Plasma must be maintained within the reactor chamber, without it dispersing, cooling and returning to gas form. The WEST reactor prevents plasma from escaping by using magnetic fields to confine it in one place.
Nuclear fusion is seen by some experts as preferable to nuclear fission in terms of safety and waste management, advancing the search for a clean energy source.
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