Oxford Sigma participated in a technical exchange hosted at the ITER Organization headquarters in Saint‑Paul‑lez‑Durance between 2–3 March 2026, bringing together representatives from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), the Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers (JSME), and ITER technical specialists. The discussions focused on lessons learned from the design, construction, and regulatory experience of ITER Tokamak components and supporting systems.
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 [email protected]