A breakthrough in future energy has been achieved in Shanghai's Lin-gang Special Area, where the world's first fully high-temperature superconducting tokamak device, Honghuang 70, has set a new world record for commercial nuclear fusion.

In an experimental facility in Lin-gang, Honghuang 70 completed a key test last month, achieving a steady-state long-pulse operation of 1,337 seconds — equivalent to about 22 minutes of continuous operation.

The Honghuang 70 device. [Photo/Jiefang Daily]

Known as the next-generation "artificial sun", the device marks a significant step forward in China's efforts to secure a leading position in future energy.

The nickname "artificial sun" reflects the principle behind the technology. The sun generates light and heat through nuclear fusion reactions. Replicating this process on Earth — using deuterium extracted from seawater as fuel — could provide a virtually limitless source of clean energy.

What sets Honghuang 70 apart from conventional tokamaks is its use of high-temperature superconducting materials. Traditional electromagnets generate heat and lose efficiency over time, whereas high-temperature superconductors exhibit zero electrical resistance at their critical temperature, enabling stronger magnetic fields. This allows for a more compact design while significantly reducing construction costs.

Since June 2024, the device has achieved a series of breakthroughs. Notably, its localization rate exceeds 96 percent, and it holds fully independent intellectual property rights.

The research team has also equipped Honghuang 70 with an AI-powered control system capable of real-time monitoring of key plasma parameters — including temperature, position and density — and adjusting the overall magnetic field within milliseconds.