海水有望点亮万家灯火

Core Viewpoint - The development of controlled nuclear fusion technology, often referred to as "artificial sun," is seen as a potential ultimate energy source for humanity, with significant advancements being made in China over the past decades [1][2]. Group 1: Nuclear Fusion Technology - Controlled nuclear fusion mimics the sun's energy production by fusing hydrogen isotopes deuterium and tritium, which can be extracted from seawater [1]. - One liter of seawater can release energy equivalent to that of 300 liters of gasoline when used in nuclear fusion [1]. - Nuclear fusion is considered safer than nuclear fission, as the reaction stops immediately if conditions fail, eliminating risks of nuclear leakage or radiation [1]. Group 2: Recent Achievements - The Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) has achieved significant milestones, including a world record of 1 billion degrees Celsius for 1066 seconds in January [2]. - The upcoming compact fusion energy experimental device (BEST) focuses on energy output, aiming to exceed input energy, which is crucial for commercialization [2]. Group 3: Industry Development - The nuclear fusion industry is vast, with the BEST device representing a significant commercial application opportunity, potentially involving millions of components [2]. - Over 30 small to medium-sized tech companies related to nuclear fusion have been incubated in Hefei, with some already listed [4]. - The Comprehensive Research Facility for Fusion Technology (CRAFT) is under construction and will be a leading research and testing platform in the international fusion field, expected to be completed by the end of this year [4]. Group 4: Future Plans - The timeline for nuclear fusion commercialization includes the completion of the BEST device by 2027, the first demonstration of fusion energy generation by 2030, and the establishment of a fusion engineering demonstration plant by 2035, with a goal for commercial fusion energy by 2050 [4].