The Sun's core is very hot, but it could be hotter. This is possible here on Earth. South Korean researchers have developed an artificial sun in the KSTAR fusion reactor that reaches a temperature of 100 million degrees Celsius in less than two minutes.
For the first time, the KSTAR (Korean Superconducting Tokamak Research) nuclear fusion reactor has been able to reach temperatures at least seven times higher than the core of the sun. The temperature of 100 million degrees was maintained for no less than 48 seconds, which is very impressive. Of course, the Sun's core has been doing this for a long time, but at a much lower temperature: 15 million degrees Celsius.
Fusion reactor
Perhaps most importantly, H mode was held for more than 100 seconds. This is a stable plasma state that scientists want to achieve because it is a good basis for further experiments. KSTAR has been working on making a false sun for some time: in 2021, KSTAR managed to reach a million degrees and that plasma lasts for 30 seconds. This is partly due to KSTAR's recent switch from carbon to tungsten converters. Tungsten has the highest melting point of all metals and does not corrode quickly.
This is done by fusing hydrogen and other light elements, which then produces massive amounts of carbon-free electricity. This is something many scientists have pinned their hopes on when it comes to the energy transition. The results of this test will therefore be shared immediately within the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor project, ITER. Thus, Russia and countries from Europe, Asia, and the United States hope to ensure success in the field of nuclear fusion and energy extraction.
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