两年内点亮核聚变的第一道光：合肥“人造太阳”奔赴快车道

Core Viewpoint - China's nuclear fusion development is accelerating, transitioning from basic scientific research to engineering applications, supported by AI technology, positioning the country as a global leader in the nuclear fusion industry [3][4]. Group 1: Development Progress - As of now, there are 58 fusion companies globally, with China accounting for 14, nearly 25% of the total, making it a significant player in the fusion industry [6]. - The EAST facility achieved a world record by maintaining a plasma temperature of 100 million degrees Celsius for 1066 seconds, marking a critical milestone for stable fusion reactions [6][7]. - The BEST and CRAFT facilities have also made significant advancements, with the BEST's major component installation and CRAFT's key system achieving a 2 MW steady-state power output [7]. Group 2: Strategic Framework - The "three-step" strategy for fusion commercialization includes: completing fusion power demonstration by 2027, constructing a Chinese fusion engineering demonstration reactor by 2030, and developing commercial reactors by 2040 [7]. - The commercialization process involves six stages: principle exploration, scale experiments, burning experiments, construction of experimental reactors, demonstration reactors, and commercial reactors [7]. Group 3: Ecosystem and Talent Development - The ecosystem supporting nuclear fusion commercialization is built on a cluster of large scientific devices, including EAST, BEST, and CRAFT, which provide a comprehensive system from basic research to engineering validation [9][11]. - Over 200 member units have joined the Anhui Fusion Industry Association, covering twelve key areas of the fusion supply chain, indicating a growing industrial ecosystem [11]. - A talent cultivation model combining academic training and funding support has been established, with plans to set up 10-20 fusion colleges across the country in the next five years [12][13]. Group 4: Capital Support - A capital system has been created to support the "three-step" strategy, including a 1 billion yuan venture capital fund focused on key technological breakthroughs and industrial cultivation [15]. - The establishment of the "Fusion Financial Institutions Alliance" aims to provide comprehensive financial services to fusion industry enterprises [16]. - Current capital expenditures for commercial fusion projects like BEST are nearing 200 billion yuan, with expectations for market expansion as the industry progresses towards commercial reactors [16].