BIZCHINA / Top Biz News
Nuke fusion reactor gives a headstart
By Wu Chong (China Daily)
Updated: 2006-06-02 08:50
A nuclear fusion device will be built in the country by the end of the
year, which will help scientists try to come to grips with the new source
of power before the rest of the world.
The device will allow Chinese scientists involved in an international
project to build a giant experimental fusion reactor in France to begin
work before the latter is ready, Minister of Science and Technology Xu
Guanhua said recently.
The Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak, or EAST, will be the
first of its kind in the world and is quite similar to but much smaller
than the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), which
is not expected to be fully operational for a decade.
EAST is based in Hefei, capital of East China's Anhui Province.
"Over the next 10 years, while ITER is being built, we can conduct
preliminary research on EAST to facilitate the operation and exploitation
of ITER in the future," Xu told China Daily in an interview.
EAST will be one of the two major Tokamak devices in China the other
traditional one is based in Sichuan Province.
Both facilities will contribute to ITER, the largest multinational
scientific co-operation project China has ever taken part in, said the
minister.
Last month, the government reached an agreement with the European Union,
the United States, Russia, Japan, India and South Korea, to build the
multi-billion-dollar reactor to address the world's energy crisis and
global warming.
The reactor will emulate the fusion power of the Sun, harnessing the
tremendous amounts of energy that are released when atoms fuse.
Inside the reactor, deuterium and tritium atoms will be forced together
at a temperature of 100 million C, fuse and emit blasts of energy.
It will have fusion power of about 500 megawatts.
Chinese experts are involved in 12 of ITER's programmes including
manufacturing superconductors, creating insulation to contain
super-heated plasma, and providing high-powered pulse supply units.
"Our scientific and industrial prowess in these fields will improve by
participating in these programmes, especially as they are totally new to
the world," said Xu.
"We will also take advantage of the project to foster a number of
experts in nuclear fusion for more self-reliant development."
As an equal member with the other six parties, several managers and
researchers will be deputed to ITER; and the country will have access to
all intellectual property rights of generated technologies.
Fusion power holds the key to solving projected energy shortages, with
just 1 kilogram of fusion fuel capable of creating as much power as 10
million kilograms of fossil fuel.
(For more biz stories, please visit Industry Updates)
Most Popular Stories in 48 Hours
� Xie Qihua: Made of Steel
� China exports telecom project to Iran
� Futures hopes to include oil trading
� GE pushes 'green' business
� After HK, BOC eyes mainland IPO
Today's Top News
� Nuke fusion reactor gives nation a headstart
� Canadian court stays Lai's deportation
� 6 world powers agree on Iran incentives
� Sino-US trade deficit beneficial to both
� China, Arab nations sign action plan
Top Biz News
� China, Arab nations sign action plan
� Nuke fusion reactor gives a headstart
� China to introduce accounting standards
� APEC ministers discuss global, regional trade issues
� Water consumption for per unit of GDP to drop 30%
Alibaba is the largest B2B marketplace in the world. Source model ship,
wooden puzzle, one-piece toilet, RC hovercraft, photo album, prom dress,
pocket bike, Vaginal Speculum, Samurai Sword, String Panty and PVC Pipe.
Chinese Online Class
