The multi-million-pound partnership aims to accelerate fusion technologies, bringing us closer to clean and limitless energy.
Professor Arunodaya Bhattacharya, Chair Professor in Fusion Energy at the University Â鶹¾«Ñ¡, will lead the partnership with UK-based fusion company Tokamak Energy, tackling critical challenges by performance-testing advanced tungsten-based shielding materials to protect high-temperature superconducting (HTS) magnets.
The wider team includes co-investigator Professor Jon Binner, Unversity Â鶹¾«Ñ¡ and Drs Samara Levine, Sandeep Irukuvarghula, Emre Yildrim, Gurdeep Kamal, and Jim Pickles from Tokamak Energy. Together, they will work towards a robust, validated spherical tokamak (ST) centre-column shield capable of withstanding the harshest fusion conditions using state-of-the-art experimental research and simulation techniques. This transformative project builds upon the University Â鶹¾«Ñ¡'s long-standing collaboration with Tokamak Energy and record of excellence in fusion materials and engineering.
Professor Bhattacharya said:
"Understanding the in-service degradation of shielding materials and translating it into a robust design is critical for fusion's success. This partnership solidifies Birmingham's leadership in advancing commercial fusion technologies worldwide."
Itxaso Ariza, CTO of Tokamak Energy said:
"Spherical tokamaks and HTS magnets are the most efficient and cost-effective route to delivering fusion, which will transform society and industries with clean, limitless and secure energy. We're delighted to receive this prestigious award in collaboration with our partners for a vital project to accelerate designs for our fusion energy power plant. Results from this new project will provide the necessary data and significantly advance fusion materials development."
Additional project partners include Forschungszentrum Jülich (Germany), CNRS IJCLab (France), University of Tennessee, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (USA), and Hyperion, alongside advisory support from UKAEA.
Professor of Ceramic Science and Engineering
Profile of Professor Jon Binner, Professor of Ceramic Science & Engineering in the School of Metallurgy and Materials, at the University Â鶹¾«Ñ¡.
