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China Unveils Ultra-Precise Strontium Clock, Redefining Timekeeping

3/22/2026

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Summary

Story summary

China has developed a highly precise strontium optical clock, marking its entry into the elite timekeeping community.
Pan Jianwei leads the project at the University of Science and Technology of China.
The clock could lose or gain under one second over 30 billion years.
Its stability and uncertainty surpass levels achieved by a few laboratories worldwide.
The advance may redefine the second and improve satellite navigation and global time standards.

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Story summary

China has developed a highly precise strontium optical clock, marking its entry into the elite timekeeping community.
Pan Jianwei leads the project at the University of Science and Technology of China.
The clock could lose or gain under one second over 30 billion years.
Its stability and uncertainty surpass levels achieved by a few laboratories worldwide.
The advance may redefine the second and improve satellite navigation and global time standards.