Chapter 752

University of Seville, Spain.

The SMART device, led by the Laboratory of Plasma Science and Fusion Technology, is located here.

A key feature of the SMART device is its negative triangular plasma cross-section, significantly reducing edge localized mode (ELM) risks and enhancing plasma stability.

The world’s first negative triangularity tokamak.

Inside the office.

Project lead Caden Sack was Ditou reviewing data submitted by the magnetic confinement team.

“If all goes well, we can proceed with the first ignition before February 2022 as scheduled.”

Caden Sack squinted; the ignition date had been moved up by two years, thanks to China’s superconducting thin films, which solved their superconducting magnet problem.

Thump~ Thump~

At the door, an elderly man with white hair knocked and entered.

“Hey, Luka Dončić, looks like last night’s gathering wasn’t pleasant.”

Sack smiled, teasing his old friend’s expression.

“Compared to boring bureaucratic gatherings, I’d rather enjoy a glass of whiskey alone at home.”

“It’s regrettable that our research funding is in the hands of politicians.”

Nuclear physicist Guelf Dončić sat down and handed over his tablet, “But now isn’t the time to complain about them—take a look at this news.”

Sack took it, puzzled, then stared in horror, exclaiming in disbelief: “Oh my God, this can’t be!”

“In fact, the instant I saw this news, my only thought was: impossible!”

Dončić handed Sack the latest issue of Nature.

The cover featured a 3D-rendered image of the unique shape of a negative triangular plasma.

“1000-second fusion at 100 million °C in a negative-triangularity spherical tokamak”

Inside the office, the two men fell silent.

SMART has only achieved plasma generation so far; compared to China’s Q1-NTST, it’s like a toy.

“Well, looks like we’re going to China.”

Sack said helplessly.

Meanwhile, in the United States, the controlled nuclear fusion field was also shaken.

NIF facility research center.

Energy Department official Ma Ersi and Professor Maxwell were having afternoon tea.

“Achieving international peak performance in one year—this speed is impossible for human effort alone, until I saw the paper in Nature.”

Professor Maxwell’s face showed admiration: “Q1-NTST incorporates many astonishingly brilliant ideas—I believe this qualifies as a ‘quantum leap’ in fusion energy history.”

“The United States still holds technological advantages, but there’s no doubt China has caught up.”

Ma Ersi nodded.

Next month, the National Ignition Facility will conduct a stable net energy gain experiment, targeting 60 seconds.

If successful, it will accelerate the construction of a demonstration reactor.

This would be an unprecedented leap.

“The committee is drafting a proposal.”

“A proposal?”

“Yes, as mentioned earlier, our opponent is rising at an alarming pace.”

Ma Ersi said: “The committee has decided to unite with allies and impose a more comprehensive blockade on China in the field of controlled nuclear fusion.”

“But Europe still has superconducting thin film deals with China.”

Professor Maxwell frowned.

“Don’t forget, we also have superconducting thin films—our performance isn’t worse than China’s. The committee has already sent an expert team to persuade Europe to use American products.”

“We’ll offer a price far lower than China’s.”