Oxford’s Tokamak Energy draws US funding for fusion breeder blankets

Tokamak Energy has received a US Department of Energy (DOE) INFUSE award to accelerate development of its oxidation-resistant vanadium alloys for fusion breeder blankets.

These blankets are used in spherical tokamaks – devices which confine plasma to generate fusion energy.

The team will be working with Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the University of Birmingham on the project, which could expand the use of these alloys, enable new design avenues, enhance safety and improve plant efficiency.

The INFUSE programme is focused on accelerating fusion energy development through public-private research partnerships by involving the expertise and unique resources available at DOE laboratories and universities.

This is the ninth INFUSE award granted to Tokamak Energy, one of eight private companies selected by the DOE as part of the United States’ decadal vision for delivering commercial fusion.

Michael Ginsberg, president of Tokamak Energy, said: “Vanadium base alloys are the leading candidate materials for breeder blanket structures in fusion power plant designs flowing liquid lithium.

“This new project will push our understanding forward on the path to delivering clean and secure commercial fusion in the 2030s.”