France has upped the ante in the quest for fusion power by maintaining a plasma reaction for over 22 minutes – a new record. The milestone was reached on February 12 at the Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA) WEST Tokamak reactor.
  • KrikEnglish
    -9•4 months ago

    Doesn’t sound that impressive when Wendelstein 7-X achieved 17 minutes of plasma in 2021.

    • @Madison420@lemmy.worldEnglish
      12•4 months ago

      I can’t find a reference to that but China did 17 minutes in January this year. I think you’re confusing the announcement that they increased power by 17x while maintaining plasma.

      This test was 20 minutes at a higher power setting without being incredibly destructive, that’s their milestone.

    • @Naz@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
      23•4 months ago

      Yes but 22 minutes is longer than 17 minutes

      Think of it like a pizza oven

      How well done is your pizza?

    • @Cocodapuf@lemmy.worldEnglish
      2•4 months ago

      Agreed. Plus, when talking about that reactor you get to say “stellarator”, which is always fun.