The US Department of Energy is funding a university project looking into commercialising fusion.
The University of Kentucky (UK), has secured $2.3 million (£1.78m) in funding to develop advanced materials for commercial fusion energy. The project, part of the CHADWICK initiative, aims to create first-wall materials capable of withstanding extreme temperatures and radiation inside a fusion reactor.
Professor John Balk, leading the multi-institutional team, is focused on designing tungsten-based alloy reinforced with high-thermal-conductivity ceramics.
“We’re going to make materials that are based on porous tungsten-based alloys, but they’re optimised for the mechanical and thermal properties we want,” said Balk.
Fusion power, which mimics the sun’s energy generation, offers a clean and limitless energy source.
However, materials that can endure plasma temperatures exceeding 100 million degrees Celsius are yet to be developed.
Balk’s team will leverage machine learning to identify alloys that balance durability and efficiency.
UK’s Beth Guiton highlighted the importance of the research, stating, “Keeping the plasma contained without accidentally stopping the fusion reaction or damaging your reactor materials is a challenge and a huge roadblock in this work.”
If successful, this research could bring commercial fusion closer, helping cut emissions and drive the transition to sustainable energy.
