French scientists have set a new record by maintaining high-temperature plasma for 22 minutes, bringing the world closer to the promise of nuclear fusion as a clean, sustainable energy source.
On Tuesday, French scientists announced a significant achievement in the pursuit of nuclear fusion, reaching a "crucial milestone" that could pave the way toward cleaner and more sustainable energy sources. The breakthrough was marked by the successful maintenance of high-temperature plasma for a record 22 minutes—an important step in overcoming one of the most challenging aspects of nuclear fusion.
Nuclear fusion, the process that powers stars, has long been hailed as a potential solution to the world’s energy needs. Unlike nuclear fission, which splits atomic nuclei to release energy (as in conventional nuclear power plants), fusion combines two atomic nuclei to form a heavier one, releasing vast amounts of energy. If harnessed effectively, fusion could provide nearly limitless, safe, and environmentally friendly energy, making it a coveted technological goal for scientists worldwide.
The process of fusion, however, is far from simple. Achieving the extreme conditions required—temperatures exceeding 100 million degrees Celsius—is one of the most significant obstacles to its realization. At these temperatures, the plasma (a hot, electrically charged gas) becomes highly unstable, posing challenges to both energy efficiency and the longevity of the reactors used in fusion research.
The breakthrough came at the WEST tokamak machine in southern France, which was able to sustain plasma for an impressive 1,337 seconds on February 12. This achievement surpassed the previous record set by China in January by 25 percent, marking a considerable step forward. According to France’s Atomic Energy Commission (CEA), this success demonstrates not only the ability to generate plasma but also to maintain it over extended periods, signaling greater control over the fusion process.
Anne-Isabelle Etienvre, head of fundamental research at CEA, emphasized the significance of this accomplishment. "This milestone proves that we can not only produce plasma, but also maintain it with a high degree of stability," she stated. However, she acknowledged that much work remains to be done before thermonuclear fusion can achieve the ultimate goal: generating more energy than it consumes.
Looking ahead, the team at WEST has ambitious plans to extend the duration of plasma maintenance even further—aiming for durations of several hours in the coming months. Additionally, they will work toward reaching even higher temperatures in order to simulate the conditions expected in future fusion reactors. These advancements are crucial steps in preparing for the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), a collaborative global project being built in France.
The ITER project, which began in 1985, brings together partners from China, the European Union, India, Japan, South Korea, Russia, and the United States. Initially slated to go online in the coming years, ITER's timeline has been delayed due to a series of setbacks, and it is now expected to begin operations no earlier than 2033. The successful progress made at the WEST tokamak, however, offers hope that fusion energy is slowly becoming a reality, inching closer to the day when it could become a viable, clean, and nearly inexhaustible source of power.
While challenges remain, the recent progress in plasma containment and stability marks a pivotal step in the decades-long pursuit of nuclear fusion. As research continues, scientists remain hopeful that the long-awaited fusion revolution could transform the global energy landscape, offering a path toward a more sustainable and energy-secure future.
Researchers have developed a new testing method that could diagnose brain tumors within hours, potentially allowing treatment to begin during surgery.
NASA’s Perseverance rover has spotted the first aurora on Mars visible to the human eye, offering a glimpse of what future astronauts might one day enjoy under the Martian sky.
Scientists in the UK have developed a super-strong antibody that could dramatically improve how the immune system attacks cancer cells by boosting its activation power.
A rare red meat allergy known as alpha-gal syndrome is drawing new attention as researchers link it not only to the lone star tick but also to other U.S. tick species, raising concerns about growing risks and underdiagnosis.
In a groundbreaking study published in Cell on January 18, Chinese researchers have unveiled a novel cancer treatment that ingeniously disguises tumors as pig tissue, triggering the body’s immune system to mount a hyperacute rejection response against the cancer cells.
A delegation led by Yalchin Rafiyev, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Chief Negotiator of COP29, participated in Climate Week in Panama, held from May 19–21, 2025, in Panama City.
Amazon continues to set the benchmark in logistics and operational excellence through its sophisticated inventory management techniques, enabling it to maintain a competitive edge and deliver exceptional customer service at scale.
Two staff members from the Israeli embassy in Washington, D.C., were shot and killed outside an event at the Capital Jewish Museum on Wednesday night, in what officials are calling a targeted and deeply disturbing act of violence. A suspect is currently in custody.
The U.S. government's decision in April 2025 to impose stricter export controls on advanced semiconductors has delivered a significant blow to Nvidia, compelling the company to obtain licenses for sales of its H20 AI chips to China—one of its largest and most strategically important markets.
Cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase has confirmed that at least 69,461 customers had personal and financial information stolen in a months-long data breach, which the company disclosed last week.
Tensions flare in the India-France Rafale deal as France refuses to share the fighter jet’s source code, limiting India’s ability to integrate indigenous weapons and reducing its combat autonomy.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara on May 15, with discussions reportedly focusing on upcoming peace talks between Ukrainian and Russian delegates in Istanbul.
France has rejected India’s request to share source codes needed to integrate indigenous weapons into Rafale fighter jets. Despite repeated appeals, French manufacturer Dassault Aviation has refused to compromise on the issue
Ukrainian and Russian delegations meet behind closed doors at Istanbul’s Dolmabahçe Palace at 10:00 local time today to explore security guarantees, territorial integrity and a possible ceasefire.
AnewZ and Kazakhstan’s Jibek Joly/Silk Way TV channel co-hosted a special AnewZ Talks in Astana at Maqsut Narikbayev University (MNU), uniting global experts and young leaders at Silk Road Media Group’s journalism school to explore the growing intersection of media and diplomacy.
Cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase has confirmed that at least 69,461 customers had personal and financial information stolen in a months-long data breach, which the company disclosed last week.
Taiwan's Computex tech show brought together thousands of international participants on Tuesday, showcasing the highly advanced Artificial Intelligence and robotic systems.
Microsoft announced on Monday that it will begin hosting AI models from Elon Musk's xAI, Meta Platforms, and European startups like Mistral and Black Forest Labs in its own data centers.
Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun announced a $6.9 billion investment plan over the next decade to develop advanced chips, unveiling the new Xring O1 system-on-chip this Thursday, aiming to boost the company’s high-end smartphone strategy and reduce reliance on Qualcomm.
NASA’s Perseverance rover has spotted the first aurora on Mars visible to the human eye, offering a glimpse of what future astronauts might one day enjoy under the Martian sky.
A delegation led by Yalchin Rafiyev, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Chief Negotiator of COP29, participated in Climate Week in Panama, held from May 19–21, 2025, in Panama City.
Amazon continues to set the benchmark in logistics and operational excellence through its sophisticated inventory management techniques, enabling it to maintain a competitive edge and deliver exceptional customer service at scale.
Two staff members from the Israeli embassy in Washington, D.C., were shot and killed outside an event at the Capital Jewish Museum on Wednesday night, in what officials are calling a targeted and deeply disturbing act of violence. A suspect is currently in custody.
The U.S. government's decision in April 2025 to impose stricter export controls on advanced semiconductors has delivered a significant blow to Nvidia, compelling the company to obtain licenses for sales of its H20 AI chips to China—one of its largest and most strategically important markets.
Cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase has confirmed that at least 69,461 customers had personal and financial information stolen in a months-long data breach, which the company disclosed last week.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment