China is building the world’s first floating artificial island with nuclear-proof bunker
Deep-sea scientific facility designed for ‘all-weather, long-term residency’, say research team
This 78,000-tonne, semi-submersible twin-hull platform is the world’s first mobile, self-sustaining artificial island.
But beneath its scientific veneer lies a rare nuclear-blast-resistant design that uses “metamaterial” sandwich panels to turn catastrophic shocks into gentle squeezes, according to scientists involved in this project.
“This deep-sea major scientific facility is designed for all-weather, long-term residency,” wrote the team led by Professor Yang Deqing with Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) in a peer-reviewed paper published in Chinese Journal of Ship Research on November 4.
“Its superstructure contains critical compartments that ensure emergency power, communications and navigation control – making nuclear blast protection for these spaces absolutely vital.”