合肥未来大科学城内的聚变堆主机关键系统综合研究设施园区日前迎来重要进展。 researchers have completed the acceptance of the Eighth Fractional Vacuum Chamber and Overall Assembly Test System of the "夸父" (CRAFT) project, which is designed to advance controlled nuclear fusion research. The Eighth Fractional Vacuum Chamber, resembling a large "orange segment", stands 20 meters tall and weighs 295 tons. It represents one-eighth of the overall structure of the CRAFT facility, which will form a larger "big orange" when all eight segments are combined. This setup is expected to play a crucial role in the development of artificial sun technology. Vacuum chamber is a key safety barrier near the fusion core, ensuring plasma operation and providing magnetic confinement for superconducting magnets. Its design requires extremely high precision and welding standards due to the extreme conditions it must withstand. The development process took over ten years, involving breakthroughs in extreme condition design, precise manufacturing, and advanced testing technologies. Over 40 invention patents were generated during this process, with some of these technologies also finding applications in other fields such as particle accelerators and semiconductors. "The夸父" project is the first major scientific facility constructed in Hefei National Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory. Once completed, it will provide state-of-the-art experimental conditions for magnetic confinement fusion research, complementing existing facilities like EAST and BEST. It aims to bridge critical gaps in nuclear fusion engineering verification and support the development of next-generation fusion reactors. （文章素材来源：人民网）