Japan’s Kyoto Fusioneering (KF) and the U.K. Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) have just signed a collaboration agreement to develop fusion related technologies. The first project of the collaboration will be to develop a ‘fusion-grade’ silicon carbide composition system.
The partners said, “The collaboration reaffirms the strategic partnership between the United Kingdom and Japan and is based on a mutual commitment to deliver sustainable, commercial fusion energy for generations to come.”
KF and UKAEA stated that as a first step, they will develop a silicon carbide composition system (SiC/SiC) that will be suitable for use as a structural material inside a fusion reactor. They will test its stability under simulated fusion conditions.
The use of SiC/SiC composites within the breeder blanket of a fusion reactor will increase the efficiency and commercial viability commercial nuclear fusion power plants. The new material will be able to operate at high temperatures and is resistant to neutron damage.
The Self-Cooled Yuryo Lithium Lead Advanced (SCYLLA) blanket developed by KF is compatible with the lithium-lead based coolant and fuel breeding fluids in some fusion reactors.
Testing of irradiated composites can only be carried out in a suitable active testing facility. KF is expecting to reach out to UKAEA’s Materials Research Facility for support.
New post-irradiation examination methods are being developed by UKAEA to allow them to understand the changes in microstructural properties of the SiC/SiC samples caused by radiation damage. Some novel methods need to be used to extract useful material properties.
Under the new collaboration, KF will accelerate the development of critical components catered to the needs of other fusion research institutions around the world.]
KF has already signed several contracts awarded by UKAEA to provide its expertise and services. One of the most notable KF contracts involves being appointed in August 2022 as a member of the Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) Interim Engineering Deliver Partner consortium. KF was also selected as a Tier 1 supplier in 2021 in the UKAEA Tritium Engineering Framework for the STEP fuel cycle.
Taka Nagao is the CEO of Kyoto Fusioneering. He said, “The several contracts we have with UKAEA have demonstrated the win-win relationship that can create new value for the society and fusion research and fusion industry. Kyoto Fusioneering will continue to build on our successful technology collaboration to help achieve industrialization of fusion energy. The development of a 'fusion-grade' silicon carbide composite system is not only a huge advancement to the realization of commercial fusion, but also yet another advantage of the blanket system, which is so important in our collective battle against climate change.”
Ian Chapman is the CEO of UKAEA. He said, “This collaboration agreement builds on our existing relationship. Putting fusion electricity on the grid requires finding and integrating solutions to several major challenges and we will be working with Kyoto Fusioneering on finding solutions to some of those challenges.”
UKAEA has signed several agreements over the past few months to collaborate on the development of fusion technologies with other researchers. These contracts include a strategic research partnership with the US Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory aimed at achieving a better understanding of the performance and behavior of materials required for use in future commercial nuclear fusion power plants. UKAEA has also signed a five-year framework agreement with Tokamak Energy for closer collaboration “on developing spherical tokamaks as a route to commercial fusion energy”. It also signed an agreement with the University of Sheffield and the University of Birmingham to collaborate on fusion R&D.