Chengdu, July 18, 2025 – The HHMAX-901 Host Machine Completion and Plasma Ignition Ceremony was successfully held today at the fusion device base of HHMAX (Hanhai Fusion Energy (Chengdu) Technology Co., Ltd.). Witnessed by nearly 200 attendees including government officials, industry experts, investor representatives, and partners, and watched online by nearly 2,400 viewers, China’s first commercial linear Field-Reversed Configuration (FRC) fusion device successfully achieved plasma ignition. This marks a significant breakthrough in China’s exploration of commercializing controllable nuclear fusion, particularly in the commercial application of the linear FRC technological pathway. The “Artificial Sun” illuminates humanity’s future, bringing the dream of energy freedom closer to reality.
The completion of the HHMAX-901 host machine and its plasma ignition garnered significant attention from society, industry, and media. Key leaders, authoritative academic experts, financial investors, and partners gathered to witness this historic moment in commercial fusion development.
Professor Yu Yi from Sun Yat-sen University congratulated HHMAX on the successful ignition and shared perspectives on the nuclear fusion industry’s prospects. Liu Yukai, Partner at Lightboat Capital, spoke as an investor representative, expressing continued focus on the controllable fusion field and support for HHMAX.
Chairmen Zhang Ya of Chengdu Guoguang Electric Co., Ltd., Liu Weidong of Chengdu Xuguang Electronics Co., Ltd., and Wang Jinjun of Shenzhen Prince New Materials Co., Ltd., expressed optimism about the future of controllable fusion in their speeches. They stated their companies would actively participate in the fusion commercialization process from their respective positions within the industrial chain.
HHMAX Chairman Xiang Jiang highlighted in his speech that China is at the forefront of global fusion research. From record-breaking operational parameters of national scientific facilities like HL-3 and EAST to the steady progress of the CFETR project, Chinese fusion researchers are writing their own glorious chapter. “Today, HHMAX adds a highly representative stroke to this magnificent picture,” Xiang stated. He emphasized that HHMAX’s linear FRC approach offers lower construction costs, faster engineering iteration, higher energy density, smaller size, and greater application flexibility. While pursuing the ultimate goal of commercial fusion power generation, HHMAX has charted a practical commercialization roadmap. During fusion device R&D, HHMAX effectively utilizes neutrons generated in the fusion process for applications in fusion industry testing, tritium breeding validation, nuclear medicine, neutron imaging, nuclear waste treatment, and other cutting-edge fields, realizing partial commercial value ahead of schedule.
“Starting with the ignition of the HHMAX-901 device today,” Xiang declared, “HHMAX will remain true to its founding mission, driven by technological innovation and guided by commercial applications. We will forge ahead courageously on the path to commercializing controllable nuclear fusion, bringing new dawn to humanity’s dream of exploring the ultimate clean energy!”
“Brave are the barrier-breakers, strong are the co-creators!” To accelerate the industrialization and commercialization of nuclear fusion, HHMAX formally signed strategic cooperation agreements during the event with Chengdu Guoguang Electric Co., Ltd., Chengdu Xuguang Electronics Co., Ltd., and Shenzhen Prince New Materials Co., Ltd. Guided by the principles of “mutual respect, integrity-based cooperation, compliance with laws and regulations, and win-win collaboration,” the parties will leverage their respective advantages to deepen cooperation in fusion device vacuum systems, intelligent control fast switches, and power supply domains. This aims to build a core industrial chain and jointly accelerate fusion commercialization.
This strategic cooperation goes beyond simple supply-demand relationships. It represents a deep bond forged by a shared sense of responsibility for the nation’s energy future and a common belief in the commercialization of fusion technology. Moving forward, HHMAX will uphold the spirit of “Journeying Together on the Vast Sea” , joining forces with partners to strengthen technical exchanges and resource sharing. Together, they will explore new paths for fusion technology innovation, concentrate efforts to break through engineering bottlenecks, co-build an innovation ecosystem, and help China secure a leading technological position in the global fusion competition.
At 10:40 AM, amidst a countdown led by the guests, the HHMAX-901 host machine was powered on, successfully forming plasma and achieving ignition. Sun-like golden light gradually filled the device’s quartz tube, illuminating the venue and igniting the fervent dream of limitless clean energy in everyone’s hearts. China’s new fusion era officially set sail at this moment!
Subsequently, all attendees entered the device area for a close-up look at the hard-tech core of the “Artificial Sun.” Liu He, Vice President of HHMAX, provided a detailed introduction to the construction journey and future applications of the HHMAX-901. The HHMAX-901 project commenced in June 2024, with formal physics design starting in August. Its parameters benchmark against internationally leading similar devices. After multiple iterations in physics and engineering design, the design was finalized in February this year, entering the engineering construction phase. The complete vacuum system and support structure have been built, assembled, and passed vacuum leak detection and insulation withstand voltage tests. Today’s successful plasma ignition signifies the device is now ready for subsequent FRC experiments. Next, using the HHMAX-901 as a platform, HHMAX will systematically advance R&D on new controllable fusion technologies, accelerate breakthroughs in core components, and incubate commercial products along the development path.
From national strategy to local action, controllable fusion is receiving increasing attention. Various policies and documents have injected strong momentum into the industry’s development. Just earlier this month, the General Office of the Sichuan Provincial People’s Government released the Implementation Plan for Developing and Expanding Emerging Industries and Accelerating the Cultivation of Future Industries. For the first time, it explicitly included “controllable nuclear fusion” as a key future industry for cultivation in a dedicated section. This reflects not only Sichuan’s forward-looking planning but also the nation’s high regard and firm support for this revolutionary future-defining technology.
As a representative enterprise of commercial fusion in China and Sichuan, HHMAX will steadfastly pursue its goals, joining hands with all parties to accelerate the integration of the “government-industry-university-research-finance” innovation chain. Actively integrating into the grand blueprint for cultivating future industries at both national and provincial (Sichuan) levels, HHMAX is committed to contributing its “fusion” power to humanity’s next energy technology revolution!