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On October 1, 2025, the BEST (Compact Fusion Energy Experimental Facility) project in Hefei, Anhui Province, achieved a key breakthrough. The cryostat base, a key component of the BEST mainframe, was successfully developed and delivered, and was precisely installed in the BEST mainframe hall, marking a new phase in the project's construction.

The cryostat base, approximately 18 meters in diameter and 5 meters in height, weighs over 400 tons. It is the heaviest component in the BEST mainframe system and will be located at the bottom of the entire BEST mainframe, supporting the approximately 6,700-ton mainframe. The accuracy of the cryostat base's installation is directly related to the stability and safety of the entire project, requiring extremely high hoisting precision. During installation, the surface level difference must be controlled within 15 mm, and the positioning deviation must not exceed 2 mm.

The cryostat base was developed by a joint project team led by the Institute of Plasma Physics, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences. The team mastered key technologies such as high-precision forming and welding, millimeter-level deformation control, and high-vacuum sealing. After the installation of the dewar base is completed, the installation of large components will begin. Then important core components such as magnets and vacuum chambers will be installed on the dewar base. Finally, engineers will seal the dewar base to form a vacuum environment to ensure the operation of the tokamak.

BEST