Chinese scientists have achieved a significant milestone, successfully demonstrating the conversion of thorium into uranium within a liquid-fuel molten salt reactor. This breakthrough, decades in the making, unlocks a potentially near-limitless source of clean nuclear energy, building upon research previously explored and then abandoned by the United States.
The two-megawatt Thorium Molten Salt Reactor (TMSR), developed by the Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, has proven that thorium can be a viable and stable nuclear fuel. This achievement is particularly noteworthy as it revives a technology that American researchers experimented with in the 1960s but ultimately set aside due to Cold War priorities.
China’s chief scientist for the project described the nation as the rightful inheritor of this “forgotten dream,” utilizing declassified US documents to bring the concept to fruition. This success positions China at the forefront of a field largely overlooked for half a century. A more powerful, 10-megawatt version is already under development, aiming for commercial electricity generation.
A key advantage of China’s TMSR is its ability to operate without the large water requirements of traditional nuclear plants, making it ideal for arid regions facing increasing energy demands. Thorium offers a cleaner alternative to uranium, which is rare, toxic, and poses significant environmental challenges during mining and disposal. Reactors fueled by thorium produce less long-lived radioactive waste, aligning with global efforts for sustainable energy solutions. This technological leap signifies China’s ambition for energy self-reliance and could reshape the global energy landscape.