🌟 Big news from Hefei! The Comprehensive Research Facility for Fusion Technology (CRAFT) has just welcomed the world’s largest toroidal field (TF) coil case. At 21m long, 12m wide and a whopping 400 tonnes, this giant shell is a key part of future fusion reactors.
So, what’s a TF coil case? Think of it as the sturdy stainless-steel "box" that protects the superconducting coils and keeps the donut-shaped magnetic field in check. Made from special cryogenic steels (316LN & 316LMn), it’s built to handle extreme cold and heavy loads – 1.2× the size and 2× the weight of ITER’s equivalent!
Why it matters:
- 🚀 Boosts fusion energy demo: A major milestone toward turning fusion into a real clean power source.
- 🌱 Broader impact: Tech spin-offs could supercharge aerospace, energy gear & marine engineering.
- 🔬 Asia’s tech race: Reinforces Hefei’s rise as a cutting-edge research hub, alongside Bangalore, Singapore & Jakarta.
With this delivery, the CRAFT project is one step closer to making fusion power – from experimental labs to your grid! Stay tuned as fusion inches toward a clean-energy revolution. ⚡
Reference(s):
World's largest toroidal field coil case delivered in E China's Hefei
cgtn.com
