China is investing heavily in nuclear fusion and promises to challenge US technological dominance. Find out why the country is allocating US$1,5 billion to the sector
China invests in nuclear fusion and could overtake the US: The United States' dominance in nuclear fusion technology, once considered untouchable, now faces a strong challenge from China. With massive investments and technological advances With the pace of development accelerating, China is positioning itself as an emerging power in this strategic area. By investing $1,5 billion in the development of nuclear fusion, the country seeks not only to advance scientifically, but also to redefine the global balance of technological power. In this article, we will explore how this Chinese initiative could shake up the status of the United States and transform the global technological and energy landscape.
China invests about US$1,5 billion per year in nuclear fusion
While the United States has been a pioneer in the development of nuclear fusion since the 1950s, the competition has become fiercer than ever. Now, both countries are vying for the lead in mastering nuclear fusion, a clean and virtually limitless source of energy.
According to one article by Angela Dewan and Ella Nilsen According to CNN, China invests heavily in nuclear fusion, with investments between US$1 and 1,5 billion per year in research and development. This amount significantly exceeds the investment in US technological power, which is approximately US$800 million per year.
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In addition, China registers a growing number of patents in the area, surpassing other nations. These billion-dollar investments in nuclear fusion are driving the country to achieve great technological feats, such as the rapid construction of experimental reactors known as tokamaks.
China is investing in nuclear fusion, and one of the protagonists of this advance is the company Energy Singularity, located in Shanghai. Recently founded, the startup built its own tokamak in just three years, a remarkable feat compared to other international projects.
This nuclear fusion reactor uses high-temperature superconductors, a significant improvement over the copper magnets used in older designs. As a result, this innovation enables greater energy efficiency and reduces the size of nuclear fusion reactors, threatening the technological might of the United States.
China's new mega-venture threatens US tech power
As China invests in nuclear fusion with tokamaks, the US is exploring new approaches to nuclear fusion technology. In 2022, US scientists reached a major milestone by generating, for the first time, more energy from fusion than was used to heat the fuel.
This feat was accomplished in the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, using a highly advanced laser system, an alternative technology to tokamaks. However, the challenge of sustaining the fusion reaction for long periods still persists.
China is also leading the way in building research infrastructure, such as the CRAFT park in the east of the country, scheduled for completion in 2025.
In contrast, facilities in the US, such as the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, are facing delays in upgrades, and the main US tokamak, the DIII-D, is already more than 30 years old. This highlights the need for continued investment to remain competitive in the nuclear fusion field.
Country wants to master nuclear fusion technology
China is investing heavily in nuclear fusion, but the US still leads in terms of private investment. Globally, the private sector invested around US$ 7 billion in nuclear fusion research in recent years, with 80% of that coming from American companies. Thus, while China is moving forward with massive government investment, the US has a robust ecosystem of private innovation.
The race to master nuclear fusion technology is more competitive than ever. China has made remarkable progress and has surpassed the US in some areas, especially in investment and infrastructure. However, the US continues to explore different technologies and maintains a strong presence thanks to private investment.