Has Korea made an artificial Sun? Facts we must know

Korea has achieved a groundbreaking milestone by successfully creating an artificial sun known as KSTAR (Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research).

This remarkable “artificial sun” has set a new world record by reaching a scorching temperature of 100 million degrees Celsius for an impressive 20-second duration.

This achievement is the result of a collaborative effort between the Korea Institute of Fusion Energy, Seoul National University, and Columbia University in the United States. Notably, it surpasses previous records from past years, showcasing the continuous advancement in this field.

In 2018, an artificial sun achieved a temperature of 100 million degrees, but it could only maintain that level for a brief 1.5 seconds. The recent breakthrough is a substantial improvement, with the temperature sustained for a more extended period of 20 seconds.

The process involves replicating fusion reactions by introducing a special type of hydrogen into the artificial sun, creating a super-hot and glowing state known as plasma. In this state, the constituent parts of atoms (ions and electrons) are separated, resulting in extremely high temperatures. Essentially, scientists have recreated a miniature sun on Earth, providing valuable insights into fundamental reactions, including those occurring on celestial bodies like the moon.

Si-Woo Yoon, the director of the KSTAR Research Center, emphasized the significance of this achievement in advancing technologies for long-term, high-performance plasma operation. This breakthrough marks a crucial step toward the development of a commercially viable nuclear fusion reactor in the future.

Looking ahead, researchers have set ambitious goals, actively working towards achieving a 300-second run with an ion temperature that could surpass the 100 million degrees Celsius mark, possibly by 2025. The artificial sun is envisioned as a potential future energy source, especially in regions where sunlight is scarce, such as the poles and other secluded areas. However, the ultimate objective is clear: to create a sun-like system capable of providing energy for the entire Earth.

Dr. Young Seok Park of Columbia University expressed honor for being part of this significant achievement, highlighting its transformative impact on KSTAR’s development. This collaborative effort underscores the importance of pushing technological boundaries, with advancements in this field holding great promise for the future.

Nuclear fusion research

The overall sentiment surrounding this achievement is one of optimism, recognising it as a pivotal step towards even greater feats. The successful development of advanced technologies to harness the sun’s energy opens up promising avenues for the future of energy production and nuclear fusion research. The creation of Korea’s artificial sun, KSTAR, achieving a temperature of 100 million degrees for 20 seconds, marks a significant scientific milestone with profound implications for future energy technologies and nuclear fusion research.