This Chinese machine reduces 100 years to a few days… and changes everything

The world of hypergravity research is entering a new phase with the establishment of the Centrifugal Hypergravity and Interdisciplinary Experiment Facility (CHIEF). Located at Zhejiang University in eastern China, this facility is at the forefront of centrifuge technologies thanks to its latest and most powerful machine, the CHIEF1900. This major advancement is impressive both in its technical capabilities and its potential to advance the understanding of gravitational forces on different materials and structures.

The most powerful centrifuge and its location The driving force behind this technological advancement is the CHIEF1900, hailed as the most powerful centrifuge in the world. It can simulate hypergravity of 1900 g-tons, surpassing its predecessor, the CHIEF1300, and the American centrifuge operated by the Army Corps of Engineers in Vicksburg, Mississippi, which reaches 1,200 g-tons. Its precision and power are such that it is said to be able to “compress space and time.” The facility is located nearly 50 feet below the campus of Zhejiang University (about 15 meters) to minimize vibrations that could disrupt experiments. Built with a total budget of around 260,000,000 EUR, this infrastructure highlights China’s commitment to hypergravity research, allowing for modeling phenomena spanning decades or kilometers, such as high-speed rail resonance with the ground.

Working together: an interdisciplinary approach The CHIEF project is the result of a close international collaboration between environmental specialists, automation engineers, and civil engineers, demonstrating a truly interdisciplinary approach. The construction presented significant challenges, including the need to develop many components from scratch to withstand high rotation speeds. At these speeds, the CHIEF generates considerable heat, necessitating the implementation of an innovative temperature control system based on vacuum, combining liquid cooling and air ventilation. The facility promotes global cooperation and invites researchers from all backgrounds to utilize this cutting-edge technology. Unlike some facilities primarily focused on space travel, research at CHIEF covers a wide range of topics, such as studying plant and animal cells or simulating the migration of pollutants through soil over millennia.

Impact and future prospects The CHIEF1900 not only pushes the boundaries of centrifuge technology but also prompts a reconsideration of our understanding of natural forces, an ambitious project offering vast possibilities. For example, by comparing the effect of a 3-meter rotating dam model at 100 g with that of a 984-foot wall (about 300 meters), the facility can provide valuable data for engineering and environmental management.

The South China Morning Post (SCMP) has extensively covered this advancement, highlighting the immediate media interest in the project. Today, China not only asserts its role as a leader in scientific research through CHIEF but also offers an open platform to scientists worldwide who wish to participate in this pioneering exploration of hypergravitational forces.