The VICE project was launched to accelerate the development of lithium ceramic breeder technologies that will enable future fusion power plants to generate and sustain their own tritium fuel supply. As fusion programmes worldwide move closer towards commercial deployment, demonstrating reliable tritium breeding, extraction and recovery have become a critical challenge for the sector. Oxford Sigma’s newly commissioned E&M system directly addresses this need by providing a dedicated platform for studying tritium release behaviour, extraction efficiency and fuel cycle integration at engineering relevant scale.

Developed to investigate bulk tritium release from kilogram scale lithium ceramic breeder materials, the system enables controlled recovery and analysis using a scalable helium sweep gas process operated at temperatures representative of future fusion breeder blanket and tritium fuel cycle technologies (approximately 500 °C). The capability also provides highly sensitive tritium detection and measurement, achieving sensitivities of around 10 Bq and enabling detailed characterisation of tritium recovery performance.

The successful commissioning of the E&M system represents another major step part of Oxford Sigma’s wider strategy to accelerate fusion commercialisation through the development of practical breeder blanket and tritium fuel cycle technologies. Together with the company’s in-house lithium ceramic manufacturing capability, bespoke irradiation systems and encapsulation technologies, the VICE E&M system provides an end-to-end platform for breeder blanket materials qualification, irradiation campaigns, tritium extraction studies and future technology demonstrations.

Importantly, this capability strengthens the UK’s position in fusion fuel cycle development and breeder blanket technology innovation. The infrastructure, knowledge and operational experience developed through Project VICE will support future irradiation and extraction campaigns whilst helping establish the industrial supply chain required for commercial fusion energy deployment in the UK and internationally.

The Tritium Extraction and Measurement system was delivered in collaboration with Orbital Fabrications, combining expertise in materials science, process engineering, mechanical design and radiological operations. The project demonstrates Oxford Sigma’s ability to take emerging low TRL fusion technologies from concept through detailed design, manufacture, assembly, commissioning and operation, creating a unique research capability in one of the most technically challenging aspects of fusion energy development.

“The successful thermal commissioning of our Tritium Extraction and Measurement system marks a significant step in establishing the capabilities needed to support future fusion fuel cycles. By bringing together materials development, irradiation programmes and tritium extraction within a single integrated programme, Oxford Sigma has created an end-to-end capability that bridges the gap between breeder material development and engineering-scale tritium recovery. This capability will support future breeder blanket technologies, strengthen the UK’s fusion supply chain and help accelerate the commercialisation of fusion energy.”

 

Dr Mustafa Iqbal, Project Lead on VICE at Oxford Sigma

“Last year, the UKAEA LIBRTI programme launched a competitive £8.5 million funding call for fusion fuel experiments and Oxford Sigma was selected in recognition of its expertise in experimental systems and the production of lithium ceramics for fusion’s applications.

 

It has been fantastic to see the teams work together throughout the project, from manufacturing the ceramics and developing the system design, to bringing that design to life and successfully demonstrating the thermal performance of the complete system. The project has delivered excellent results, and the experience gained will help inform future experiments as LIBRTI progresses towards delivering a world-leading facility for tritium breeding research and development.”

 

Dr Andy London, Head of Programme for LIBRTI at UKAEA

“We are delighted to have partnered with Oxford Sigma on this project, delivering a tritium extraction system to meet the demanding technical and safety requirements of the application. The successful commissioning and positive results demonstrate what can be achieved through close collaboration, specialist engineering expertise and a shared focus on delivery. Fusion energy represents an exciting opportunity for the UK, and Orbital is proud to play a part in supporting the development of this important technology. We look forward to applying our expertise in complex, safety critical fluid systems to further projects within the fusion sector.”

 

Freddy Carter, Engineering and Projects Director at Orbital Fabrications

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 info@oxfordsigma.com

About UKAEA

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

About Orbital Fabrications

Orbital is a market leader in high purity gas and liquid delivery systems, specialising in orbital welding and high-tech fabrication since 1988. Orbital offers an integrated service spanning design engineering, in-house manufacturing, and on-site installation – including orbital and manual TIG welding, cleanroom assembly, helium leak testing, and full documentation and certification.

Orbital works closely with clients to design and produce tailor made solutions that meet process and performance requirements, drawing on decades of engineering expertise to deliver systems where reliability and purity are non-negotiable.

Orbital works across demanding sectors including energy, hydrogen, semiconductor, pharmaceutical, aerospace, and process industries, where the integrity of welds and systems is critical.

More information: https://orbitalfl.com/

The Projects STUBBI (Shaping TUngsten By Bonding It) [patent pending] and SHyELD (Shielding by Hydride Engineering for Lightweight Deployment) build on Oxford Sigma’s established expertise in advanced materials and manufacturable shielding solutions. Leveraging our internal development facility and specialist partners, we are advancing kilogram‑scale prototypes designed with both scalability and neutronic performance in mind. Following development, these materials will undergo irradiation testing to validate shielding performance under representative fusion conditions.

Figure: Project STUBBI-II, prototype tungsten shielding material for fusion power plants.

Figure: SHyELD manufactured metal hydride at Oxford Sigma.

Oxford Sigma’s shielding programme takes a holistic engineering approach, ensuring our materials meet the functional, thermal, structural, and operational requirements of fusion environments. Our designs prioritise real‑world integration, including structural interfaces, cooling strategies, and manufacturability, to ensure our shielding technologies align with the needs of emerging fusion power plants.

Oxford Sigma’s programme carefully balances the competing requirements of high‑performance shielding: robust material behaviour under irradiation, manufacturability at scale, cost‑effective deployment, and integration into complex fusion systems. We apply our engineering and materials science expertise to ensure our products are suited to the realistic operating conditions of future fusion power plants currently in development.

If you are interested in exploring or procuring Oxford Sigma’s advanced shielding materials for your fusion or nuclear systems, please reach out to our team at info@oxfordsigma.com. We welcome collaboration with organisations seeking high‑performance shielding solutions and materials innovation.

Dr Diego Martinez de Luca, Project Lead for STUBBI said: “The development of novel and scalable manufacturing processes for production of large tungsten components for radiation shielding is a key aspect for the operation and safety of future fusion plants. We are proud that our technology is supported by the UKAEA and are looking forward to proving its feasibility”

Dr Bradley Young, Project Lead for SHyELD said: “The Oxford Sigma materials team is excited to be developing metal hydride materials to enable improved shielding and moderating components for advanced nuclear reactor concepts, across both fusion and fission technologies. Analysis of the shielding function of these hydrides has shown extremely promising performance and we look forward to developing the manufacturability and in-situ stability to bring these products to the market, enabling and accelerating clean energy..”

Lyndsey Mooring, Head of the Fusion Industry Programme, said: “Novel shielding materials and technologies are a cornerstone for viable future fusion energy power plants, as well as other aligned industries. The response to this competition demonstrated the impressive breadth of research being done within the UK that could help solve this challenge. The Fusion Industry Programme is delighted to support 13 feasibility studies and see what progress is made in this interesting area of research, development and innovation (RDI).”

Mark Gilbert, Head of Programme for Neutron Materials Interactions, said: “Shielding is a critical safety requirement for any system involving the production of ionising radiation, including the neutrons and gamma fields expected in fusion systems. It is important to develop shielding solutions for both in-vessel, where space is constrained, and ex-vessel, that are robust, economically viable, and have minimised environmental impact. This challenge is asking UK industry to explore novel solutions for the different shielding applications in fusion.”

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 info@oxfordsigma.com

About the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority

The United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) is the UK’s national fusion energy research organisation. They are an executive non-departmental public body of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ).

UKAEA’s mission is to lead the delivery of sustainable fusion energy and maximise the scientific and economic benefit. They do this by being technical experts, partnering with companies and the international research community.

At the core of UKAEA’s efforts is the operation of world-leading facilities that build a comprehensive knowledge base for fusion energy. By addressing and solving the challenges across the full lifecycle of fusion, and integrating solutions from various disciplines, we establish technical centres of excellence that serve as the foundation for future fusion power plant programmes.

UKAEA collaborates with its partners to develop fusion power plants by providing access to our skills, facilities and expertise. UKAEA owns UK Industrial Fusion Solutions (UKIFS) on behalf of the UK government. Through UKIFS, we’re spearheading the Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) programme to design and build the UK’s first prototype fusion energy power plant in Nottinghamshire.

To grow the fusion ecosystem, UKAEA focuses on cultivating skilled talent, growing the fusion industry and creating ‘innovation clusters’. We actively seek opportunities to advance fusion technologies and communicate its vast potential to stakeholders and the public alike to accelerate fusion energy’s future – the energy of tomorrow we need today.

More information: https://www.gov.uk/ukaea. Social Media: @UKAEAofficial

“The company were proud Tier 2 members of the previous version of the UKAEA Embedded Engineering Resource Framework and have enjoyed supporting UKAEA through multiple framework jobs. Being appointed as a Tier 1 supplier reflects the technical depth, resilience, and collaborative spirit our team has demonstrated over the past six years. This milestone not only validates our engineering capabilities but also strengthens our role in advancing the UK’s fusion energy ambitions.”

Mark Anderton, Senior Engineer, EERF Framework Manager, Oxford Sigma

“This Tier 1 appointment is a landmark moment for Oxford Sigma. It reflects the dedication and expertise our team has invested over the past six years to support UKAEA’s mission and the broader fusion community. We are honoured to be recognised as a trusted partner and excited to continue driving innovation in fusion materials and engineering.” 

Dr Thomas Davis, Chief Executive Officer, Oxford Sigma

 The UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) has renewed its multimillion-pound Embedded Engineering Resource Framework (“the Framework”) with seven companies. The renewal follows a successful four-year supply of breadth of engineering resources to UKAEA in support of its mission to deliver fusion energy.   

The Framework, with a value up to £9m, supports the development of a UK industrial supply chain capability. It affords companies the opportunity to embed and upskill their own engineers within the multiple projects and programme areas at UKAEA as it undertakes fusion energy research.  

 Gary Stables, Engineering Frameworks Contract Project Manager, UKAEA, said:  

“Embedding engineers within UKAEA is a win-win. The embedded engineers help to progress key fusion projects, while gaining valuable skills and experience in fusion. Boosting fusion expertise across the engineering sector is vital for the development of fusion energy and maximising the benefits to industry.  Following the success of the first Embedded Engineering Resource Framework, UKAEA will be renewing it for another four years. Now with increased capacity to access technical expertise from selected industrial partners, the Framework will help accelerate the commercialisation of fusion energy.”  

Additionally the Framework continues to create the opportunity for companies to collaborate with each other on fusion projects and, crucially, to bring in their supply chain to support fusion projects, growing the fusion ecosystem.  

 The framework features companies with expertise in some, or all of the following disciplines:  

• Mechanical engineering  
• Process engineering  
• Electrical, control & instrumentation engineering  
• Engineering analysis and code development
• Structural and geotechnical engineering
• Materials engineering  
• Systems engineering  

 Successes from the past four years include embedding more than 80 engineers within the following programme areas:   

• JET Decommissioning and Repurposing (JDR)  
• Remote Applications in Challenging Environments (RACE)  
• Mega Amp Spherical Tokamak (MAST) Upgrade  
• Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) 
• Fusion Technology (FT)  
• Materials Research Facility (MRF)  

About Oxford Sigma 

 Oxford Sigma is a Fusion Technology company with a vision to advance fusion commercialisation through materials innovation. Our mission is to develop and deploy advanced materials technologies that meet the critical needs of fusion, nuclear, and security applications. 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 info@oxfordsigma.com  

 About the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority  

Who we are  

 The United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) is the UK’s national fusion energy research organisation. We are an executive non-departmental public body of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ).  

 The work we do  

 UKAEA’s mission is to lead the delivery of sustainable fusion energy and maximise the scientific and economic benefit. We do this by being technical experts, partnering with companies and the international research community. 

 At the core of UKAEA’s efforts is the operation of world-leading facilities that build a comprehensive knowledge base for fusion energy. By addressing and solving the challenges across the full lifecycle of fusion, and integrating solutions from various disciplines, we establish technical centres of excellence that serve as the foundation for future fusion power plant programmes.  

 UKAEA collaborates with its partners to develop fusion power plants by providing access to our skills, facilities and expertise. UKAEA owns UK Industrial Fusion Solutions (UKIFS) on behalf of the UK government. Through UKIFS, we’re spearheading the Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) programme to design and build the UK’s first prototype fusion energy power plant in Nottinghamshire.  

 To grow the fusion ecosystem, UKAEA focuses on cultivating skilled talent, growing the fusion industry and creating ‘innovation clusters’. We actively seek opportunities to advance fusion technologies and communicate its vast potential to stakeholders and the public alike to accelerate fusion energy’s future – the energy of tomorrow we need today.  

 More information: https://www.gov.uk/ukaea. Social Media: @UKAEAofficial   

 About fusion energy  

 When a mix of two forms of hydrogen (deuterium and tritium) is heated to form a controlled plasma at extreme temperatures – 10 times hotter than the core of the Sun – they fuse together to create helium and release energy which can be harnessed to produce electricity. There is more than one way of achieving this. UKAEA’s approach is to hold this hot plasma using strong magnets in a ring-shaped machine called a ‘tokamak’, and then to harness this heat to produce electricity in a similar way to existing power stations. 

A fusion power plant must extract heat from the plasma to generate usable power. The plasma releases energy in the form of radiation through ions, X-rays and neutrons, which will impinge on the first-wall components. Some of these components protect the vessel and require shielding from irradiation and excessive heating to maintain structural integrity. Other components are essential in providing an understanding of the plasma’s behaviour during operations, through continuous monitoring by plasma facing diagnostic devices such as mirrors.

Project DEPARTED (Diagnostic Erosion Passive and in Real-Time and Environment Device) will explore methods for measuring first wall tile erosion in real-time, online. The failure of the first-wall could cause unwanted injection of coolant into the vacuum vessel, potentially shutting down the reactor and rendering the core offline based on considered accident scenarios. Therefore, it is crucial that information collection (via systems such as exhaust vacuum mass spectrometry) is rapid enough for a reactor operator or software control system to respond appropriately. Additionally, for commercial performance and safety, it is essential to monitor the condition of the first-wall materials online to predict failure points and schedule routine maintenance at appropriate intervals. This project will develop innovative technology to determine first-wall erosion and tile condition during fusion power plant operations, providing future operators with key information during full power operations.

Project PRISM (Performance and Resilience of Innovative Surfaces for Mirrors) aims to enhance the reliability of plasma diagnostic mirrors. Current leading designs have employed uncoated bulk metal mirrors, with materials consisting of stainless steel, copper, and molybdenum. However, these materials still exhibit damage due to the extreme fusion environment, which reduces their reflectivity and operational lifetime. Cleaning solutions, such as laser and plasma cleaning methods, are necessary to extend the mirrors’ operational life. However, these methods can degrade the mirror surface quality over repeated cycles, potentially causing critical damage. Project PRISM seeks to develop novel, robust, radiation-resistant mirrors specifically designed for fusion power plants.

“Oxford Sigma is delighted to be part of this progress towards Fusion Energy. The support of the UK government backing the development of fusion technology is a positive step towards UK net zero and developing necessary skills within the UK which are relevant to engineering globally.”

 

~ Mark Anderton, Senior Engineer and Project DEPARTED Manager, Oxford Sigma.

“ The development of robust and resilient diagnostic systems is a key aspect for the operation and control of future fusion plants. We are proud that our technology has been supported by the Fusion Industry Programme and are looking forward to proving its feasibility.”

 

~ Dr Diego Martínez de Luca, Senior Engineer and Project PRISM Manager, Oxford Sigma

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 info@oxfordsigma.com

About UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA)

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

]]> https://oxfordsigma.com/updates/news/oxford-sigma-awarded-fusion-breeder-blanket-experimental-program-called-vice/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=oxford-sigma-awarded-fusion-breeder-blanket-experimental-program-called-vice Fri, 17 Jan 2025 17:07:18 +0000 https://oxfordsigma.com/?p=6397 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 info@oxfordsigma.com

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

Oxford Sigma has been supporting the development of a construction code and standard for fusion energy with ASME BPVC Section III Division 4 for multiple years.  As Chair, Dr Davis will be leading the development efforts to enable Division 4 to become the global standard on pressure systems in fusion energy covering topics such as design, materials qualification, examination, and requirements.

ASME BPVC provides the design and construction rules of boilers and pressure vessels worldwide, covering both nuclear and non-nuclear devices. The documents are written and maintained by chosen volunteers based on their technical expertise. In July 2023, ASME BPVC Section III (Rules for Construction of Nuclear Facility Components) Division 4 (Fusion Energy Devices) published its first volume for the 2023 Code Edition.

The volume provides requirements covering fusion energy-related components and their interactions. Related support structures, including metallic and non-metallic materials, containment or confinement structures, and in-vessel components, are also covered. Additionally, the rules contain requirements for materials, design, fabrication, testing, examination, inspection, certification, and stamping.

“It is an honour and pleasure to be appointed Chair of the ASME BPVC Section III Division 4 “Fusion Energy Devices” construction code and standards. My mission during my term as Chair is to ensure the pressure system design code and standards become the go-to for fusion energy systems for the future. If you are interested in supporting Division 4, do reach out!”

~Dr Thomas Davis, Co-Founder and CTO of Oxford Sigma

In connection to the newly published volume, Dr Davis presented its implications at the 23rd Symposium on Fusion Engineering Conference on “Fusion Codes & Standards ASME BPVC Section III Division 4” in Oxford in July. Dr Davis also authored a peer-reviewed paper titled “The need for codes and standards in nuclear fusion energy” in the special collection, “The emergence of Private Fusion Enterprises” in the Journal of Fusion Energy in May 2023. The article is available open access here.

Oxford Sigma’s mission is to develop advanced materials solutions and technologies which comply with the latest standards to ensure suitable deployment within a commercial fusion power station. As part of Oxford Sigma’s contribution to fusion codes and standards, the company led a workshop at the ASME Code Week on the development of Division 4 “Fusion Energy Devices” in November 2023.

If your company or institution is interested in Division 4, please contact Oxford Sigma directly through email, via  info@oxfordsigma.com.

Oxford Sigma tackles energy security and climate change by accelerating the commercialisation of fusion energy. Oxford Sigma’s mission is to deliver materials technology, materials solutions, and fusion design services in order to accelerate the commercialisation of fusion energy. Oxford Sigma is internationally recognised as a key fusion materials and technological leader within the market.

Get in touch at info@oxfordsigma.com

The delivery partner will play a critical role in STEP’s ambitions to design and build a commercial-scale prototype fusion energy plant by 2040 over the next two years: completing a concept design is one of two key Tranche 1 objectives to achieve by 2024 that will enable UKAEA to proceed to future phases and meet its ambitious targets. Fusion technology has the potential to provide abundant, low-carbon energy – maintaining the UK’s net zero efforts in the long-term and underpinning future energy security.

The consortium is led by Atkins as prime contractor, alongside international engineering and digital services firm Assystem with Oxford Sigma, Kyoto Fusioneering, and Ansaldo Nucleare. Atkins and Assystem have a long history of successful collaboration across nuclear and fusion energy projects, including their work as architect-engineer for the international fusion energy project ITER, through the Engage consortium.

The STEP EDP consortium combines this world-leading expertise with specialist knowledge from partners across the supply chain: fusion In-Vessel Component materials technology and safety specialist Oxford Sigma; breeder blanket and tritium specialists Kyoto Fusioneering; and Ansaldo Nuclear. Combined, the consortium brings over 30 years’ experience in fusion delivery from across JET, ITER, STEP, DEMO and the private fusion industry.

“Oxford Sigma is a world leader in materials science and technology within the fusion industry. This project cements Oxford Sigma’s place as a key player within the UK’s goal to reach commercial fusion. We look forward to working with all the consortium partners to develop STEP and to accelerate towards commercial fusion becoming a reality,” ~ Jonathan Musgrove, CEO Oxford Sigma.

“The commercialisation of fusion energy holds the key to unlocking an abundant source of safe, clean energy that will power a net zero future, and the ambitious STEP programme positions the UK as a global leader in such highly complex projects. A viable, investible concept design is central to UKAEA’s ambitions and Atkins is proud to extend our involvement in STEP’s development through this consortium,” ~ Chris Ball, Managing Director of Nuclear & Power for Atkins

“The STEP project is a fantastic opportunity for the UK to continue its leading role in the global race to deliver a commercially viable fusion power plant. Assystem’s role in this delivery partner consortium for STEP builds on a long-term commitment to the development of UK fusion capability, harnessing a blend of UK skills, decades of experience on international fusion projects such as ITER and collaborating with UK fusion specialist SMEs,” ~ Simon Barber, UK Managing Director, Assystem

“Fusion has great potential to deliver safe, sustainable, low carbon energy for generations to come, and STEP is leading the way. It’s an ambitious programme operating at the forefront of science, technology and engineering. It’s clear we must make significant changes to address the effects of climate change, and STEP’s delivery partners will play a crucial role in our quest to making fusion a reality,” ~ Tristram Denton, Head of Commercial and Programme Development for STEP

About Oxford Sigma

Oxford Sigma tackles energy security and climate change by accelerating the development of fusion and advanced nuclear energy. The company’s aim is to develop innovative nuclear technology to withstand extreme environments, provide nuclear materials expertise, and advise the advanced nuclear and fusion energy industries in their quest to achieve commercialisation. Internationally recognised as a highly technical SME, our growing team of engineers and scientists play an active role in the emerging supply chain ecosystem within the UK, USA and EU for fusion energy and advanced nuclear energy. Please do get in touch at info@oxfordsigma.com

About Atkins

Atkins, a member of the SNC-Lavalin Group, is one of the world’s most respected design, engineering and project management consultancies, employing over 19,000 people across the UK, North America, Middle East and Africa, Asia Pacific and Europe. We build long-term trusted partnerships to create a world where lives are enriched through the implementation of our ideas. The SNC-Lavalin Group brings extensive international nuclear expertise across the technology’s cycle, from international fusion science through its role as architect engineer for ITER within the Engage consortium to the design and delivery of large-scale new nuclear build and Small Modular Reactors, as well as widespread knowledge across asset operations, decommissioning and waste management. https://www.snc-lavalin.com

About Assystem

Assystem is an independent international company with one main mission: to accelerate the energy transition worldwide. With more than 55 years of experience in highly regulated sectors with stringent safety and security constraints, the Group provides engineering services as well as digital solutions and services to optimise the performance of complex infrastructure assets throughout their life cycle.

In its 10 countries of operation, Assystem’s 6,000+ experts are supporting energy transition. To achieve an affordable low-carbon energy supply, Assystem is committed to the development of decarbonised electricity (nuclear, renewables and electricity grids) and clean hydrogen. The Group is also helping drive the use of decarbonised electricity in industrial sectors such as transportation. Assystem is currently ranked as the second nuclear engineering group in the world.

To read Assystem’s recently published report on how the UK is well positioned to lead the development of fusion energy, visit: Fusion Energy: A Global Effort – A UK Opportunity visit https://www.assystem.com/en/fusion-energy-report/

For more information, please contact Jack Dobson Smith – jdobsonsmith@assystem.com | 07879 115 255

About Kyoto Fusioneering

Kyoto Fusioneering is a privately funded technology start-up founded in 2019, with its headquarter in Kyoto, Japan and subsidiary in Reading, UK. The company is focused on developing advanced technologies for commercial fusion reactors, including gyrotron systems, tritium fuel cycle technologies, and breeding blankets for tritium production and power generation. Kyoto Fusioneering is developing innovative solutions that are simultaneously high-performance and commercially viable. Supporting both public and private fusion developers around the world, the company is accelerating the realization of fusion as the ultimate energy source for humankind.

For more information, please contact info@kyotofusioneering.com

About Ansaldo Nuclear

Ansaldo Nuclear is part of the Ansaldo Energia group and its strength lies in over sixty years’ of international experience in EPC for the nuclear market. With its workforce of 500 employee, it designs, manufactures, installs and commissions safety critical engineered products and provides specialist support for its customers across all the nuclear energy sectors i.e. new build, operational support and life extension and decommissioning and waste management. Ansaldo involvement in the Fusion sector started forty year ago and spanned design and engineering support, product development and supply to several projects including JET, IGNITOR, ITER and DEMO. In ITER in particular, Ansaldo built several partnerships and is delivering a large portfolio of projects. https://www.ansaldoenergia.com/business-lines/nuclear. For more information, please contact Charles Mendes – charles.mendes@ansaldonuclear.com / 07864 933412