Scientists in China have set a new record for artificial sun technology, the Chinese Academy of Science said in a statement on Wednesday. 

The country’s top research institute said a team of scientists in the city of Hefei in the eastern province of Anhui generated and maintained plasma at temperatures 10 times that of the sun’s core on Monday. 

This exercise was conducted at the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak facility where the previous world record – maintaining the temperature for about a minute – was set last year.

Scientists discussing findings. /VCG Photo

Similar experiments have been conducted around the world but were not as successful. 

The academy said this is a breakthrough that could position China one step ahead in the global race to harness a new, artificial kind of solar energy for clean and unlimited energy.

This has become a pressing concern as more of the earth’s natural reserves are rapidly depleting. If Chinese scientists can crack it, they'll be in possession of the must-have technology of this century.