Korea's KSTAR fusion reactor sustains 100-million-degree plasma for record 50 seconds

Korea's KSTAR fusion reactor set a new record, sustaining 100 million degree plasma for almost 50 seconds using upgraded tungsten divertor components.

The upgrades allowed KSTAR to better withstand blistering heat and contain the plasma swirling within its donut-shaped chamber.

Nuclear fusion reactors like KSTAR aim to replicate the Sun's process of fusing hydrogen atoms to potentially provide limitless clean energy.

KSTAR's tungsten divertor upgrade helped extend the duration of the 100 million degree plasma compared to previous carbon-based divertor components.

Researchers stabilized weaknesses at the plasma's edge using optimized magnetic coils to contain the plasma in an efficient high-confinement state for over 100 seconds.