Chinese researchers have made a groundbreaking leap in superconducting technology, generating a stable magnetic field of 351,000 gauss – equivalent to 700,000 times Earth’s natural magnetism – using a fully superconducting magnet. This achievement, announced Sunday by the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Plasma Physics (ASIPP), sets a new world record and opens doors to transformative applications across energy, transportation, and advanced research.
The magnet’s development involved collaboration between ASIPP, Hefei International Applied Superconductivity Center, and Tsinghua University. By combining high-temperature superconducting insert-coil technology with low-temperature superconducting magnets, the team overcame critical challenges in mechanical stability and electromagnetic performance under extreme conditions.
Dr. Liu Fang of ASIPP explained: This breakthrough isn’t just about numbers. It provides the foundation for next-generation nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometers and brings us closer to practical fusion energy systems. The magnet maintained stable operation for 30 minutes at 35.1 tesla before safe demagnetization, demonstrating unprecedented reliability.
The innovation holds particular significance for China’s role in the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) project, where superconducting magnets create magnetic cages to contain plasma in fusion reactors. ASIPP’s recent success in localizing superconducting materials and systems strengthens China’s position in this global clean energy initiative.
Beyond fusion research, the technology could revolutionize space propulsion, magnetic levitation transport, and power transmission infrastructure. With complete domestic mastery of superconducting systems, this achievement positions China at the forefront of materials science innovation with far-reaching economic and technological implications.
