Oxford Sigma kicked off the new Fusion CDT (Centre for Doctoral Training) Industry Workshop Series with two engaging days at our Summertown office this July, bringing together second-year Fusion CDT students to explore the fusion supply chain, key engineering challenges, and the pathway to commercial fusion energy.
The programme opened with an introduction to Oxford Sigma and its role within the fusion ecosystem, delivered by Dr Alasdair Morrison, Chief Technology Officer. Students then heard from organisations working across the UK fusion supply chain, including UKAEA (UK Atomic Energy Authority) spinout MuWave, University of Oxford spinout QDot, and engineering consultancy Frazer-Nash Consultancy. The speakers shared practical perspectives on supplying technologies and engineering services to the fusion sector. These perspectives highlighted both the diversity of opportunities within the fusion supply chain and the importance of developing versatile, resilient technologies that can respond to evolving fusion development programmes and timescales.
Students also examined the commercial considerations facing organisations entering the fusion market. In the workshop’s concluding exercise, they were challenged to develop a ten-year business strategy for a small or medium-sized enterprise seeking to establish itself in the sector. The exercise brought together themes explored throughout the programme, including multi-application technologies, market positioning, risk management and intellectual property strategy. Participants applied these ideas to consider how an emerging business could build a credible and adaptable route into the fusion supply chain.
Myra Ng, Materials Engineer at Oxford Sigma, said:
“It was a pleasure to host the Fusion CDT students and hear the innovative ideas they came up with. I believe events such as this are incredibly important for connecting emerging talent with industry, providing them with first-hand insight and encouraging meaningful discourse around fusion’s most pressing challenges particularly those relating to the supply chain and future workforce. I hope this workshop inspired students to continue developing their ideas and hopefully to join the fusion effort in the years ahead.”
Oxford Sigma is proud to support the development of the next generation of fusion professionals and to help build the technical, commercial and entrepreneurial skills needed to deliver commercial fusion energy.
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 Fusion CDT
The Fusion Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) is a programme funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), designed to prepare the next generation of fusion scientists for leadership roles in the global pursuit of fusion energy.