China's Innovations in Nuclear and Astrophysics Research

China has made significant advancements in nuclear technology, particularly with the achievement of thorium-uranium conversion within a molten salt reactor. This breakthrough involves a process known as in-core thorium-to-uranium conversion, which effectively transforms naturally occurring thorium-232 into uranium-233, a fissile isotope that can sustain nuclear chain reactions within the reactor itself. Notably, thorium-232 is not fissile and cannot be directly used in thermal neutron reactors, necessitating a fissile material as a driver to maintain the chain reaction. Traditional options for this fissile driver include uranium-233, uranium-235, or plutonium-239, all of which present challenges in supply. The United States previously explored this technology in the 1960s through the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, which developed a demonstration molten salt reactor utilizing externally derived uranium-233 as a fissile driver.

In parallel, China's research in astrophysics is also evolving, with notable studies focusing on the measurement of angular cross-correlation between cosmological dispersion measures and the thermal Sunyaev-Zeldovich effect. This research highlights how fast radio bursts and the thermal Sunyaev-Zeldovich effect can provide insights into the free-electron density and pressure in the intergalactic medium. The findings suggest a significant correlation, which could enhance our understanding of gas density and temperature in these cosmic environments.

The positive correlation discovered has been measured over various angular separations, indicating an average electron temperature of approximately two times ten to the seventh Kelvin. Moreover, this correlation is sensitive to the matter clustering parameter, suggesting that future analyses combining these measures could assist in breaking degeneracies among key cosmological parameters, including the ionized fraction and the Hubble constant.

These developments in nuclear technology and astrophysics underscore China's growing influence in fundamental physics research, positioning the country as a pivotal player in both nuclear energy advancements and the exploration of the cosmos. The implications of these innovations extend beyond national boundaries, potentially impacting global energy strategies and our understanding of the universe. As China continues to push the frontiers of physics, the global scientific community watches closely, recognizing both the potential benefits and challenges presented by these advancements.