At Oxford Sigma, we believe that developing this workforce begins long before graduates enter industry. Supporting future scientists and engineers at every stage of their educational journey is essential if the UK is to realise its ambitions as a global leader in fusion energy.

Over the past year, Oxford Sigma has actively supported talent development across multiple levels of education and career progression, from secondary school students exploring STEM careers through to university interns and early-career nuclear engineers.

Inspiring Future Engineers Through STEM Outreach

This year, Oxford Sigma supported the Year 10 and 11 Girls in STEM Workplace Experience Event at Oxfordshire Advanced Skills (OAS), hosted on the UK Atomic Energy Authority’s (UKAEA) Culham Campus. Around 60 pupils from local schools (Bartholomew School, Fitzharrys School, Wheatley Park School and Whitelands Academy) took part in interactive sessions designed to showcase engineering careers and advanced technologies.

Our fusion materials engineering workshop introduced students to fusion energy, materials science and real fusion reactor components. By encouraging pupils to think like engineers and make evidence-based decisions, the activity highlighted the exciting opportunities available across the fusion sector. The event also supported greater visibility of women in engineering and encouraged young people to consider future STEM careers.

“When I studied physics as a teenager, I was often the only girl in the classroom. Today, we can and should do better, visibility absolutely matters. Young people are more likely to pursue careers when they can see someone like themselves already doing the job. That’s why events like this are so important. By giving students direct exposure to engineers working in fusion today, we can help them see that these careers are achievable and that they have a place in shaping the technologies of the future.”

 

Dr Emily Rose Lewis, Nuclear Materials Engineer

Supporting Future Innovators Through Industrial Cadets

Oxford Sigma is proud to support the next generation of scientists and engineers through the Industrial Cadets Gold Project powered by EDT, a nationally recognised STEM programme connecting students with industry through real-world engineering challenges.

Over the past year, Oxford Sigma has mentored students from Francis Holland School as part of their Industrial Cadets Gold Project. Working alongside Oxford Sigma engineers, the team developed the Food in Fridge Inventory (FIFI) system, a Raspberry Pi and AI-based solution designed to help reduce food waste by tracking groceries, monitoring expiry dates and recommending recipes.

The students recently visited Oxford Sigma to present their final solution, demonstrating the creativity, teamwork and technical skills they had developed throughout the programme. Following the presentation, members of the Oxford Sigma team shared their own career journeys and discussed the many routes into science, engineering and fusion technology.

The Industrial Cadets Gold Project celebrates more than 40 years of helping young people gain practical STEM experience while developing the technical and employability skills valued by industry.

“It was an absolute pleasure to support the Industrial Cadets programme in Oxford Sigma’s first year working with the Engineering Development Trust. The students made fantastic progress over the course of the year, and it was amazing to see their development and the excellent work they produced. I also very much enjoyed the opportunity to judge the regional submissions, and I was really impressed by the standard of the work throughout the projects, which helped to highlight the value of the Industrial Cadets programme.”

 

Luke Mulholland, Graduate Project Manager

Investing in University Talent Through the UKAEA FOSTER Programme

Oxford Sigma was delighted to welcome four interns through the UK Atomic Energy Authority’s Fusion Opportunities in Skills, Training, Education and Research (FOSTER) programme. The programme provides students with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience within organisations contributing to the future of fusion energy while helping develop the skills needed for the future fusion workforce.

During their placements, our interns worked alongside Oxford Sigma scientists and engineers on projects spanning materials science, neutronics, manufacturing process development and hydrogen systems engineering. Their work addressed real challenges facing the fusion sector, including lithium breeder material supply chains, neutronics modelling of impurity effects, lithium ceramic pebble manufacturing and the specification of specialist hydrogen research systems.

The internships provided valuable experience in applied research, technical problem solving, experimentation and engineering analysis within a commercial fusion environment. Beyond their technical work, the interns also had the opportunity to develop their professional communication skills. At the conclusion of their placements, each student prepared and presented an academic-style poster showcasing their project objectives, methodology, findings and recommendations. The poster session provided valuable experience communicating complex scientific and engineering concepts to technical audiences, an increasingly important skill for future researchers and engineers.

Oxford Sigma has a long-standing commitment to student development through UKAEA programmes and previously hosted undergraduate students through the Fusion Industry Programme Summer Placement Scheme, helping students gain valuable industrial experience while contributing to real fusion technology development.

“Having the opportunity to manage an intern and supporting their development as a graduate has been incredibly rewarding. It has shown me how far I have come since joining as a graduate. While it’s easy to focus on how much there is still to learn, mentoring someone else has made me recognise the knowledge and experience I have gained since joining Oxford Sigma.”

 

Kate Raistrick, Graduate Engineer, Oxford Sigma

“Researching hydrogen materials for fusion at Oxford Sigma was a fantastic opportunity. Joining a team so genuinely passionate, and driven to make a real impact across sectors made my eight weeks immensely rewarding. Advanced materials are in safe hands with Oxford Sigma.”

 

Joseph Coupe, Mechanical Engineering Student, University of Sheffield

Supporting Higher Education and Fusion Training

Oxford Sigma actively contributes to higher education and professional training across the fusion sector. Members of our team support undergraduate, postgraduate and professional development programmes, helping develop the future fusion workforce.

• Dr Thomas P. Davis contributes to postgraduate fusion education through the Fusion CDT, Fusion CDT Industry School and wider fusion skills initiatives, while also delivering international training on fusion codes and standards.

• Dr Bradley Young, Materials Lead at Oxford Sigma, is a College Lecturer in Materials Science at St Anne’s College, University of Oxford, teaching undergraduate materials science and engineering.(Source provided by user.)

• Dr Emily Rose Lewis, Nuclear Materials Engineer at Oxford Sigma, is an Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Birmingham School of Metallurgy and Materials, delivering lectures on fusion engineering and codes and standards to metallurgy and materials students studying nuclear technologies.

Through teaching, mentoring and industry engagement, Oxford Sigma helps strengthen the connection between academia and industry while supporting the development of future fusion engineers.

Supporting Early-Career Nuclear Engineers

Developing the future fusion workforce does not end at graduation. Supporting early-career engineers as they transition into industry is equally important if the UK is to retain the specialist skills needed to deliver future fusion and advanced nuclear programmes.

Oxford Sigma is proud to support participants on the Nuclear Graduates Programme, one of the UK’s flagship graduate development schemes for the nuclear sector. The programme brings together graduates from across the industry and provides structured training, professional development, leadership opportunities and placements with leading organisations throughout the nuclear supply chain.

The scheme is designed to develop the next generation of technical and industry leaders by combining hands-on industrial experience with professional skills development. Graduates gain exposure to different organisations, projects and disciplines, helping them build a broad understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing the nuclear and fusion sectors.

As part of this commitment, Oxford Sigma recently welcomed three Nuclear Graduates to the business. Working alongside our scientists and engineers, they will gain experience in fusion technology development, advanced materials engineering and the commercial challenges associated with bringing new technologies to market.

“Joining Oxford Sigma has given me the opportunity to apply my technical knowledge to real engineering challenges while developing new skills in a supportive and collaborative environment. Working on technologies that could help shape the future of fusion energy is incredibly rewarding, and the mentorship I’ve received from the team has already had a significant impact on my professional development.”

 

Humayun Ahmed, Mechanical Engineer and Nuclear Graduate

By supporting graduates early in their careers, Oxford Sigma is helping develop the multidisciplinary expertise needed for future fusion power plants while contributing to a stronger, more resilient UK nuclear workforce.

Building the Skills Base Needed for Fusion Commercialisation

Fusion commercialisation will require expertise spanning materials science, manufacturing engineering, tritium technology, neutronics, systems engineering, robotics, digital engineering and many other specialist disciplines.

Developing the workforce capable of delivering these technologies requires sustained engagement across the entire educational pathway. From introducing school students to engineering careers, through Industrial Cadets and university internship programmes, to supporting graduate engineers entering industry, Oxford Sigma is committed to helping build the skills pipeline needed to enable fusion commercialisation.

Technical expertise alone is not enough. Future engineers must also be able to communicate complex ideas, collaborate across disciplines and translate research into deployable engineering solutions. By investing in people at every stage of their development, Oxford Sigma is helping strengthen the future fusion workforce that will be needed to support the UK’s ambitions in 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 info@oxfordsigma.com

About UKAEA

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 Fusion Energy (UKFE) on behalf of the UK government. Through UKFE, 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.

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/

In conversation with UKAEA’s Jonathan Collier, Thomas reflects on Oxford Sigma’s growth over the past seven years and the role that collaboration, innovation, technology transfer and long-term investment have played in building the company’s capabilities.

Founded in 2019, Oxford Sigma has developed specialist expertise in materials engineering, environmental degradation, coatings, corrosion testing, manufacturing and qualification for demanding nuclear and fusion applications. Today, the company supports clients across fusion, fission and defence, with activities spanning materials development, engineering consultancy, testing and component manufacturing.

The discussion highlights the impact that targeted innovation funding and government programmes have had on the growth of fusion SMEs. In particular, Thomas describes how UKAEA’s Fusion Industry Programme helped Oxford Sigma establish liquid lithium capabilities, invest in specialist equipment and accelerate the development of technologies that now form part of the company’s core offering.

The interview also explores the broader opportunities presented by the emerging fusion supply chain. As the sector transitions from research and development towards engineering demonstration and deployment, Oxford Sigma continues to invest in the skills, facilities and technologies needed to support future fusion power plants, including the UK STEP programme and international fusion initiatives.

Reflecting on the future, Thomas emphasises the importance of scaling manufacturing capability, developing resilient supply chains and building the industrial confidence required to deliver fusion energy at commercial scale.

“We are grateful to UKAEA and the wider fusion community for their continued support in developing UK fusion capabilities and supply chains. Oxford Sigma remains committed to helping bridge the gap between research, demonstration and deployment through advanced materials engineering, manufacturing and innovation.”

Said Oxford Sigma CEO, Dr Thomas P Davis.

We would like to thank UKAEA for the opportunity to participate in the Powering UK Prosperity series and for their continued support of the UK fusion ecosystem.

You can watch the full interview on the UKAEA YouTube channel and learn more about how fusion innovation is helping to drive UK economic growth.

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 UKAEA

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 Fusion Energy (UKFE) on behalf of the UK government. Through UKFE, 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.

The Gold Award recognises organisations that go beyond policy commitments to actively champion Service personnel, veterans, Reservists, Cadet Force Adult Volunteers and military families. It highlights employers that embed the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant into their culture, employment practices and long-term business strategy.

This achievement marks a significant milestone in Oxford Sigma’s journey supporting the Armed Forces. Having signed the Armed Forces Covenant on 9 April 2021, the company has consistently strengthened its commitment to those who serve. The company’s efforts were first recognised through the award of Bronze Status in 2023, followed by Silver Status in 2025. Attaining Gold status in 2026 reflects years of sustained effort, advocacy and demonstrable support by Oxford Sigma for the Armed Forces community.

As an advanced materials engineering company operating across the United Kingdom and United States, Oxford Sigma recognises the exceptional leadership, resilience, professionalism and problem-solving capabilities that Veterans, Reservists and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers bring to the workplace through their military service. These qualities align strongly with the company’s mission to deliver innovative engineering solutions that support fusion energy, national resilience and future energy security.

Oxford Sigma actively promotes opportunities for members of the Armed Forces community and is proud to employ military Reservists within its workforce. The company believes that the diverse experience and transferable skills gained through military service make a valuable contribution to innovation, teamwork, and technical excellence.

The Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award is reserved by the Ministry of Defence for organisations that demonstrate leadership in supporting the Armed Forces community while advocating these principles to their customers, suppliers and industry partners.

Oxford Sigma is proud to stand alongside other ERS Gold Award organisations that share a commitment to supporting defence, strengthening communities and creating opportunities for those who serve.

Dr Thomas P. Davis, Chief Executive Officer of Oxford Sigma, said:

“We are honoured to receive the ERS Gold Award. Supporting the Armed Forces community is not simply a commitment we have made, it is a value embedded within our organisation. Veterans and Reservists bring outstanding leadership, resilience, technical capability and teamwork to the workplace, and we are proud to support those who serve our country. This award recognises the contribution of our people and reinforces our commitment to creating opportunities for current and former members of the Armed Forces community.”

About Oxford Sigma

Oxford Sigma is a Materials 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 produces advanced materials technologies for the materials ecosystem. Our fusion core materials are engineered to enable longer term operations for fusion pilot plants, with the aim of deployment in first-of-a-kind commercial power stations. Oxford Sigma is internationally recognised as a key fusion and extreme environment materials and technological leader.

Get in touch at info@oxfordsigma.com

About the Armed Forces Covenant

Signing of the Armed Forces Covenant is a key requirement of the ERS Awards and it is a promise that together we acknowledge and understand that those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces and their families, including the bereaved, should be treated with fairness and respect in the communities, economy, and society they serve with their lives. Its two principles are that, recognising the unique obligations of, and sacrifices made by, the Armed Forces:

• Those who serve in the Armed Forces, whether Regular or Reserve, those who have served in the past, and their families, should face no disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public and commercial services.
• Special consideration is appropriate in some cases, especially for those who have given most such as the injured and the bereaved.

For more about the Armed Forces Covenant and what it means for you, visit Armed Forces Covenant – GOV.UK

Dr Thomas Davis, Chief Executive Officer of Oxford Sigma, has been appointed as a member of the Steering Committee, which will provide strategic oversight and governance for the MatDB4Fusion platform.

MatDB4Fusion is a comprehensive, quality‑controlled database designed to centralise and standardise materials data for fusion applications. The platform enables the global fusion community to access, share, and analyse key material properties, including physical, thermomechanical, and chemical behaviour under extreme conditions such as neutron irradiation, transmutation, and plasma–material interactions.

Developed by CATF in partnership with the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency (OECD‑NEA), MatDB4Fusion addresses a long‑standing challenge in fusion materials science: the fragmentation and inaccessibility of critical data generated over decades of research. By providing a unified, high‑quality dataset, the initiative aims to support more efficient materials qualification, reduce duplication of effort, and enable advanced modelling and artificial intelligence applications.

From Oxford Sigma’s perspective, the formation of the Steering Committee represents an important step towards coordinated, international action on one of fusion energy’s most significant technical barriers.

The Steering Committee will guide the evolution of the database, ensuring that it remains aligned with global research priorities while upholding data integrity and usability. It brings together expertise from across industry, academia, and research organisations, reflecting the cross-sector collaboration required to realise fusion energy at scale.

Oxford Sigma’s involvement reflects its ongoing leadership in fusion materials development, qualification, and standards, including its work across international programmes and codes and standards initiatives. Participation in the Steering Committee further strengthens the company’s commitment to enabling the materials solutions required for next-generation fusion systems.

For more information on the MatDB4Fusion initiative, visit https://www.matdb4fusion.app/

“Fusion will only move at the pace of its enabling technologies, and materials data is one of the foundations that underpins credible design, qualification, and deployment. MatDB4Fusion is an important step towards giving the global fusion community a more consistent, accessible, and high-quality basis for decision-making, and I am pleased for Oxford Sigma to contribute to that effort through the Steering Committee.”

Dr Thomas Davis, Co-founder and CEO, 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 MatDB4Fusion

MatDB4Fusion, operated by CATF, is a comprehensive, quality-controlled database for materials used in the fusion energy sector. It offers a centralized platform to share, access, and analyze the physical, thermomechanical, and chemical properties of materials relevant to fusion device design, including fusion specific properties related to neutron irradiation, transmutation, plasma-material interaction, and others.

About Clean Air Task Force

Clean Air Task Force (CATF), within the international working group on materials database and in partnership with the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development’s – Nuclear Energy Agency (OECD-NEA) as an international database host, launched MatDB4Fusion to empower the global fusion community with the data needed to design the next generation of fusion power plants.

These services are aimed at organisations requiring rapid development, qualification, and supply of advanced materials for demanding operating environments.

Building on its established R&D services, Oxford Sigma now provides integrated development-to-production support, enabling faster iteration, improved quality control, and the delivery of bespoke material solutions. Capabilities include wet chemistry, powder processing, hydrogen handling, and the processing of oxygen- and moisture-sensitive materials under inert atmosphere conditions. By combining R&D expertise with in-house manufacturing, Oxford Sigma reduces development timelines and enables tighter control over material specification, processing, and quality.

These facilities support both collaborative development programmes and the direct supply of specialist materials, including lithium-rich ceramics for tritium breeding applications.

These capabilities enable Oxford Sigma to transition from research and development into production support, offering customers a single partner for materials innovation through to supply.

Oxford Sigma Manufacturing Services Include:

• Bespoke material development and optimisation
• Pilot batch and small-scale production
• Process scale-up and qualification support
• Controlled handling of sensitive materials
• Supply of specialist materials including lithium-based ceramics

Customers can submit material requests, discuss requirements, or initiate development programmes via: www.oxfordsigma.com/products

Dr Alasdair Morrison, Oxford Sigma CTO, said:

“Our facilities allow us to offer bespoke materials and control over processing, handling and quality for a range of specialised materials for extreme environment applications. This investment and effort ensure that Oxford Sigma can provide both a holistic service to our customers, and to enhance the development of our own technologies.”

About Oxford Sigma

Oxford Sigma is a Materials 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 produces advanced materials technologies 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 and extreme environment materials and technological leader.

Get in touch at info@oxfordsigma.com

Developed for UK Fusion Energy Ltd (UKFE), the SSMC will enable critical testing of magnet technologies required for the STEP programme. The coil will support dedicated test campaigns to validate magnet performance, thermal behaviour, and structural integrity under conditions representative of fusion operation, helping reduce risk in scaling up to full tokamak systems.

Manufacture of the coil is being carried out by Rockwood as part of a close partnership with Oxford Sigma, combining expertise in advanced fusion materials, precision manufacturing, and cryogenic composite systems. This collaboration reflects the strength of UK industrial capability in addressing the complex engineering challenges associated with delivering commercial fusion energy.

The successful production and testing of the SSMC directly supports priorities set out in the UK Fusion Strategy and underpins progress towards delivery of the STEP prototype power plant.

Dr Thomas Davis, Co-founder and CEO, Oxford Sigma said:

“At Oxford Sigma, we focus on turning fusion strategy into deliverable engineering. Working in close collaboration with Rockwood, this Sub‑Scale Model Coil demonstrates how UK industry can combine materials expertise, manufacturing capability, and system understanding to deliver critical hardware for STEP and the UK Fusion Strategy.”

“The STEP Sub‑Scale Model Coil has allowed Rockwood to bring many years of cryogenic composite engineering experience into one of the UK’s most important fusion programmes. Working closely with Oxford Sigma, we’ve addressed complex manufacturing and integration challenges, and we’re proud to be contributing hardware that supports the UK’s pathway to clean fusion energy.”

“Oxford Sigma and its subcontractor Rockwood are making strong progress towards the UK Fusion Strategy milestone, supporting STEP’s Sub‑Scale Model Coil manufacture and insulation material down‑selection. Rockwood’s advanced manufacturing capability in cryogenic composite systems has been central to addressing complex build and integration challenges, while maintaining a proactive approach to the delivery schedule for testing.”

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 Rockwood Cryogenics

Rockwood Cryogenics, part of The Rockwood Group, delivers high-performance cryogenic composite solutions. They specialise in the manufacture of components and assemblies engineered from advanced materials, all destined for demanding, low-temperature applications.

Get in touch at info@rockwoodcomposites.com

About STEP Fusion

STEP Fusion (Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production) is the UK’s flagship programme to develop a prototype fusion power plant, combining government and industry expertise to deliver clean, abundant energy.

Find out more at www.stepfusion.com

Oxford Sigma has applied its experience in fusion materials and manufacturing to progress the practical manufacture of hydrogen isotope exchange material powders. The work, conducted over several years, has advanced activity from early manufacturing scoping through to trial production and in‑house delivery of material, providing a credible UK route for supply.

Tritium exchange systems are a critical part of fusion fuel cycles, enabling the controlled separation, capture, and recycling of hydrogen isotopes required to fuel deuterium–tritium fusion reactions. Hydrogen isotope exchange materials play a key role in these systems through their ability to reversibly absorb and release isotopes under controlled operating conditions.

Establishing confidence in the manufacture and supply of hydrogen isotope exchange materials, including palladium‑based compounds, is essential for the reliable and scalable deployment of tritium handling systems in future fusion facilities.

Outcomes from the collaboration between Oxford Sigma and UKFE help reduce uncertainty in fuel cycle implementation, support long‑term UK supply chain readiness, and contribute to the technical foundations required for future specification development and scale‑up aligned with STEP objectives.

Commenting on the work, Dr Emily Rose Lewis, Project Lead on hydrogen isotope exchange materials and Nuclear Materials Engineer at Oxford Sigma, said:

“We have developed hydrogen isotope exchange materials from initial manufacturing scoping through to trial batches and representative quantities of material produced in‑house. Progressing toward a draft specification has been a key milestone, and it’s exciting to be working with UK fusion partners to help stimulate a new market for the UK fusion industry.”

Oxford Sigma continues to work closely with UKAEA, UKFE, and wider industry partners to support the maturation of materials and manufacturing capability required for fusion fuel  cycle technologies, contributing to the safe, secure, and scalable deployment of fusion energy in the UK.

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 rolling 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 UKFE Ltd

UK Fusion Energy Ltd (UKFE) is a UKAEA Group subsidiary company, leading delivery of the Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) prototype power plant at West Burton in Nottinghamshire. UK Fusion Energy will integrate fusion technology in partnership with industry, delivering a complete fusion product, with STEP as the first major programme.

Developing UK capability in hydrogen isotope exchange materials is an important step in maturing the technologies needed for future fusion fuel cycles. Collaborations such as this help strengthen the UK fusion supply chain and support the long-term delivery ambitions of the STEP programme. For an overview of the fusion fuel cycle, see the UKAEA official YouTube channel: The Fusion Fuel Cycle

For more at https://stepfusion.com/

Image credit: An artistic visualization of a Mobius strip on a lattice background signifying the key role that differential geometry and topology play in describing the dynamic properties of metamaterials. Fabio Semperlotti and Mohit Kumar.

The publication presents key developments in the conceptual design of plasma‑facing components (PFCs) for the Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP), the UK’s flagship programme to deliver a first‑of‑a‑kind fusion prototype power plant.

Oxford Sigma led key aspects of the materials selection strategy and plasma‑facing component design development, contributing its expertise in high heat‑flux materials, thermal management concepts, and engineering down‑selection. The company played a central role in assessing manufacturability, technology readiness level (TRL), and performance trade‑offs to support a credible and deployable limiter architecture for STEP.

Limiters are strategically placed PFCs installed on the first wall of a fusion device. Their primary role is to manage ultrahigh transient heat loads caused by plasma disruptions, such as vertical displacement events, effectively reducing damage to other critical in-vessel components.

The paper describes the current STEP Limiter architecture and documents the evolution of the limiter PFC design . The updated concept  adopts a jet impingement gas-cooled, featuring tungsten armour paired with a CuCrZr alloy heat sink, representing a transition away from earlier tungsten heavy alloy concepts. The revised design covers a larger plasma-facing surface area and incorporates an internal manifold alongside pin fins to substantially improve cooling performance. The addition of pin fins enhances heat transfer to the coolant, enabling the use of higher technology readiness level (TRL) materials, such as copper alloys and establishing a more robust and dependable engineering pathway for the STEP program.

The full scientific paper, STEP Limiter Architecture and Plasma-Facing Component Concept Design, is available through the IEEE Xplore digital library:

Kaijanen et al., “STEP Limiter Architecture and Plasma-Facing Component Concept Design,” in IEEE Transactions on Plasma Science, doi: 10.1109/TPS.2026.3679931.

“Managing the extreme transient heat loads from plasma disruptions is one of the most demanding engineering challenges in fusion energy. By evolving the limiter architecture to incorporate pin fins and copper alloy heat sinks, we are leveraging higher TRL materials to deliver robust, realistic solutions for the STEP prototype power plant. This paper highlights the critical importance of practical engineering in accelerating fusion commercialisation.”

— Dr Leandro Tanure, Senior Materials Engineer, 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 STEP / UKFE

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. The STEP programme is being delivered by UK Fusion Energy Ltd (UKFE) a wholly owned subsidiary of UKAEA Group. UKFE will lead STEP’s integrated delivery team to design and build the prototype plant at West Burton site in Nottinghamshire, targeting first operations in 2040s.

The five-hour workshop provided a detailed technical walkthrough of the Division 4 rewrite lead by Oxford Sigma, including structure, scope, and application to fusion systems. The rewrite is intended to establish a constructible, engineering-usable framework to support the design and delivery of fusion components, including:

• Materials, qualification, and certification
• Design and structural integrity
• Fabrication, examination, and testing
• Quality assurance requirements for nuclear service

The framework is:

• Technology-neutral, applicable across fusion approaches
• Environment-driven, based on service conditions and degradation mechanisms
• Component-focused, addressing structural integrity in nuclear environments

This work reflects an evolution from guidance to practical construction rules, informed by early use of the 2023 Code Edition and ongoing international input.  The rewrite has now entered the ASME committee ballot process, where it is subject to formal review, comment, and technical scrutiny by the codes and standards community.

The ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (BPV Code) Section III, Division 4 establishes a technology‑neutral, fusion‑specific construction framework defining requirements for materials, design, fabrication, examination, testing, certification, and quality assurance for components operating under nuclear service conditions, with applicability determined by service environment, degradation mechanisms, and required structural integrity, rather than traditional fission-based assumptions.

Division 4 is developed through a formal, consensus‑based ASME process and is now in committee ballot, where it is subject to international review, comment, and technical scrutiny, with contributions—including those from Oxford Sigma—forming part of, but not representing, the collective standard.

“The Division 4 rewrite represents a transition toward a practical, engineering-usable construction framework for fusion systems. We have proposed and developed a structure that reflects how fusion components are designed, manufactured, and assured in practice. Critically, this work is being developed through a rigorous, consensus-based ASME process. The level of engagement, challenge, and technical scrutiny seen during the workshop and now through ballot review is essential to ensuring that Division 4 develops as a robust and internationally credible standard.”

Dr Thomas P Davis, Co-founder and CEO at Oxford Sigma

“The focus of the rewrite is ensuring that Division 4 can be applied in practice, aligning design, materials, and manufacturing into a coherent framework that reflects how fusion systems are actually engineered at the present. At its core, the ASME BPV Code represents established best practice, developed by engineers responsible for the design and construction of real nuclear systems. In areas where fusion technologies are still evolving, ASME provides the structured, mature engineering foundation against which these systems must be defined, validated, and ultimately delivered.”

Dr Emily Rose Lewis, Nuclear Materials Engineer at 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

The engagement forms part of ongoing technical exchanges supporting the development of fusion‑specific construction codes and standards. Insights from ITER’s engineering and delivery programmes are being considered by standards organisations as input to draft rule development for fusion components, with particular attention to component classification, safety intent, and evidence‑based engineering practice.

Discussions included how experience derived from ITER’s design, procurement, construction, and licensing activities can help inform future draft requirements for metallic and non‑metallic structural components, cryogenic systems, superconducting magnet structures, and associated supporting systems. The exchanges also highlighted the value of grounding emerging fusion standards in practical operating and delivery experience.

A further focus of the visit was international code awareness and alignment, including the technical interface between ASME, JSME, and European regulatory and standards frameworks. Continued dialogue between standards bodies and fusion delivery organisations supports the longer‑term objective of interoperable approaches to fusion plant design and construction across regions.

Oxford Sigma supports ongoing collaboration between international standards organisations and fusion delivery programmes, recognising the importance of transparent, consensus‑based standards development processes informed by shared technical experience. The visit to ITER strengthened professional connections and provided a basis for continued technical exchange as draft fusion construction rules continue to evolve.

““Fusion standards development benefits when draft requirements are informed by real engineering and delivery experience. Technical exchanges such as this help ensure that emerging fusion construction rules are practical, proportionate, and evidence‑based.” Dr Thomas Davis, Co-Founder and CEO 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

Founded on 19 March 2019 by Dr Thomas P. Davis and Jonathan Musgrove, Oxford Sigma was created to solve the hardest materials challenges standing between the United Kingdom and commercial fusion energy. Breaking the new normal funding route for high technology scaleups, Oxford Sigma has accepted no seed funding and has achieved its progress through 100% organic revenue including participation in UK Government innovation programmes. Seven years on, the company stands as one of the clearest examples of how strategic government support, deep scientific expertise, and British industrial leadership can be guided to give capability for a sovereign fusion industry.

BUILDING A UK-LED FUSION SUPPLY CHAIN

UKAEA partnerships have been instrumental in strengthening Oxford Sigma’s technical maturity and accelerating the development of the UK’s fusion engineering capabilities. From its Oxford headquarters, the company has delivered major advancements including cutting-edge materials technologies for fusion, nuclear, and defence applications; novel tungsten-based and liquid-metal–compatible innovations for breeder blankets and in-vessel components; future powerplant focused engineering methodologies and design tools critical for deployment; dedicated lithium ceramics for tritium breeding; palladium-based materials for tritium extraction; extensive support to UKAEA programmes including STEP; and establishment of a dedicated materials development laboratory, based on the Culham Campus.

Oxford Sigma’s UK-rooted capability is now recognised worldwide as fusion moves rapidly towards commercialisation.

SEVEN YEARS OF GROWTH: OXFORD SIGMA TODAY

Over the past seven years, engagement with UKAEA and UK Government contracts and innovation programmes has helped propel Oxford Sigma into a leading developer of advanced materials for extreme-environment systems across fusion, nuclear, and defence. Highlights of this progress include:

• More than 100 years of combined team member experience spanning fusion materials, processing, qualification, testing, and simulation.
• A highly technical team with 90% STEM‑educated, and 43% holding PhDs in materials or nuclear systems.
• A professionalised team with 25% Chartered Engineers and more than 90% of the remainder working towards chartership.
• A growing global footprint spanning Oxford, Culham Campus, and Arlington, Virginia, USA.
• Supporting the chair of ASME BPVC Section III Division 4 on Fusion Energy Devices, shaping the codes and standards that will underpin future fusion power plants.

Oxford Sigma is an active collaborator within the UK fusion ecosystem through UKAEA, the Fusion Industry Programme (FIP), the Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI), and international partnerships. These UK Government innovation programmes with SMEs are essential to enable:

• Expansion of UK‑based manufacturing and test capability
• Development of new, protectable intellectual property
• Acceleration of materials qualification and component design
• Translation of research into deployable engineering solutions
• Growth of a highly specialised UK workforce
• Strengthening of Britain’s sovereign fusion supply chain

These programmes have delivered the foundational support that allowed Oxford Sigma to stay fully independent, fully focused on technical excellence and delivery. Oxford Sigma has been a successful participant in multiple SBRI competitions, including the Fusion Industry Challenges: Cycle 2, and subsequent competitions advancing fusion materials and manufacturing solutions, Cycle 4 (pulsed power), Cycle 5 (diagnostics), and Cycle 6 (shielding), accumulating to now offering products to the market though our commercialisation achievements. These programmes have increased the company’s export to support fusion energy.

“Seven years ago, we founded Oxford Sigma to solve the materials challenges that stand between aspiration and real fusion power. Engaging with UKAEA and UK Government innovation programmes have been instrumental in helping us turn scientific capability into industrial reality. We are proud to be a British company contributing to the nation’s energy security, advancing fusion commercialisation, and supporting the development of a sovereign UK supply chain. As we move forward, we remain committed to delivering the materials, designs, and standards needed to make fusion power plants a global reality. UKAEA and UK Government are making real impact to the SMEs across the UK fusion supply chain, and we would encourage other SMEs like us to take full advantage of the support and access to their initiatives.”

— Dr Thomas P. Davis, Co‑Founder & CEO, Oxford Sigma