Oxford Sigma has been awarded funding to spearhead an experimental campaign to begin the qualification of its lithium ceramics for breeder blankets. This award is part of the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA)’s first major investment in projects for the Lithium Breeding Tritium Innovation (LIBRTI) programme, marking a significant step forward in fusion energy development. Drawing on Oxford Sigma’s existing capabilities in fusion materials and manufacturing, Oxford Sigma’s Project VICE (Validation in Ceramics Experiments) aims to support this by optimising manufacture of our lithium ceramics and demonstrating measurable tritium production and recovery, reducing uncertainties throughout the tritium breeding process. The LIBRTI programme is an important strategic step for the UK fusion industry, addressing one of the key technical challenges of tritium breeding. This initiative aligns with the UK’s Department of Energy and Net Zero’s recent support for the nation’s fusion programme and budget plans.
A key unknown for lithium ceramic-based breeder blankets is whether a practical blanket configuration can be made which will achieve a tritium breeding ratio (TBR) sufficient to support operation of a fusion power plant. VICE is feeding into a critical component of the LIBRTI programme, addressing these key uncertainties encountered with tritium breeding with lithium ceramics. The vision of VICE is to demonstrate a scalable route for the manufacturing and enriching of lithium ceramics, testing samples, and measuring tritium recovery.
LIBRTI, part of the broader Fusion Futures initiative, focuses on pioneering advancements in fusion fuel and enhancing industry capacity through international collaboration. Over the next four years, the programme aims to demonstrate controlled tritium breeding, a crucial step for future fusion power plants.
It is one of 12 experimental and digital projects expected to run to March 2026. We are excited to collaborate with leading institutions in the UK, the EU, and the US.
Anna Hills, Project Manager for VICE, said
“The LIBRTI programme funding marks a pivotal moment for the UK fusion industry, addressing one of the key technical challenges of tritium breeding. Drawing on our existing capability, Oxford Sigma’s Project VICE (Validation in Ceramics Experiments) aims to support this by optimising manufacture of lithium ceramics and demonstrating measurable tritium production and recovery, reducing uncertainties throughout the tritium breeding process.”
Dr Thomas Davis, CEO and Co-founder of Oxford Sigma, said:
“Amongst the many difficulties in fusion, demonstrating fuel self-sufficiency remains a major challenge for ensuring fusion power plant performance. Project VICE is giving Oxford Sigma the chance to demonstrate our tritium breeding ceramic materials and support LIBRTI in its mission.”
About Oxford Sigma
Oxford Sigma is a Fusion Technology company with a vision to tackle energy security and climate change by accelerating the commercialisation of fusion energy. Our mission is to deliver materials technology, materials solutions, and fusion design services. Oxford Sigma aims to produce advanced materials technologies, agnostic to fusion approach, for the materials ecosystem. Our fusion core materials are engineered to enable longer term operations for fusion pilot plants, with the aim of roll out to the first-of-a-kind commercial power stations. Oxford Sigma is internationally recognised as a key fusion materials and technological leader.
Get in touch at [email protected]
About the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority
UKAEA is the national organisation responsible for the research and delivery of sustainable fusion energy. It is an executive non-departmental public body, sponsored by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.
UKAEA runs the fusion machine MAST-Upgrade (Mega Amp Spherical Tokamak) and is delivering the transition of JET from plasma operations to repurposing and decommissioning. The insights gained from this process will contribute to the advancement of sustainable future fusion power plants.
STEP (Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production) is a major technology and infrastructure programme that will demonstrate net energy from fusion, fuel self-sufficiency and a route to plant maintenance. UKAEA is STEP’s fusion partner and will work alongside STEP’s industry partners – one in engineering and one in construction – with the following short-list announced here.
The STEP programme is being delivered by UK Industrial Fusion Solutions Ltd (UKIFS) a wholly owned subsidiary of UKAEA Group. UKIFS will lead STEP’s integrated delivery team to design and build the prototype plant at West Burton site in Nottinghamshire, targeting first operations in 2040.
UKAEA is now engaging in Fusion Futures, a programme that aims to foster world-leading innovation whilst stimulating general industry capacity through international collaboration and the development of future fusion power plants.
UKAEA also undertakes cutting edge work with research organisations and the industrial supply chain in a wide spectrum of areas, including robotics and materials.
More information: https://www.gov.uk/ukaea. Social Media: @UKAEAofficial