Fusion Pioneer Rod Bateman - A deep dive into our high temperature superconducting magnet technology Tokamak Energy 2023-11-16 | In our latest fusion pioneer video, our Magnet Development Manager, Rod Bateman, takes us on a deep dive into our high temperature superconducting (HTS) magnet technology, explaining how we’ve developed the expertise to design and manufacture robust, high field HTS magnets for fusion and non-fusion applications.
A diverted plasma pulse from our successful ST40 spherical tokamak physics campaign Tokamak Energy 2023-11-15 | Watch a ‘diverted’ plasma pulse from our latest successful ST40 campaign, which has helped advance our commercial fusion mission following a series of upgrades to our record-breaking ST40 spherical tokamak. In a diverted configuration, the magnetically confined plasma is separated from the centre post and walls of the device and its exhaust is directed to a dedicated ‘divertor’ region that extracts heat and particles. This keeps the core plasma cleaner and significantly improves overall performance. The campaign, which ended at the end of September 2023, was focused on improving understanding and developing high-performance diverted plasma scenarios in a high field spherical tokamak.This work is expanding our understanding and helping to further validate future power plant designs on our path to delivering clean, secure and affordable fusion energy.
ST40 campaign results 2023 Tokamak Energy 2023-10-19 | What did we achieve in the latest campaign with our record-breaking ST40 spherical tokamak? In this video, Head of Plasma Systems, Dr Steven McNamara, presents our main achievements, including 'diverted' plasmas, and outlines the four main goals with ST40 following our successful 100 million degrees campaign last year. “All of our ST40 campaigns are focussed on the goal of getting commercial fusion energy on the grid”, he says.
What is fusion? A short introduction to fusion energy Tokamak Energy 2023-09-21 | How fusion works and the role fusion energy could play in delivering clean, sustainable, safe, on-demand energy to complement renewables for a net zero world.
Fusion Pioneer Rod Bateman HTS Tokamak Energy 2023-09-14 | High temperature superconducting (HTS) magnets open the pathway to commercial fusion energy from a spherical tokamak device. In this week’s Fusion Pioneer video, Dr Rod Bateman, our Magnet Development Manager, explains why HTS' capacity to operate in a high background field is so important for the design of future fusion power plants."The greatest challenge solved so far is the development of high-temperature superconducting magnets that are suitably robust and compact so that they can enable a spherical tokamak”, says Rod. “This means that future fusion power plants can be compact and efficient—and hence commercially viable."
Fusion Pioneer Rob Bamber - ST40 Chief Engineer - introduces our world-leading spherical tokamak Tokamak Energy 2023-08-31 | “What we’re learning on ST40 demonstrates the advantages of spherical tokamaks and is directly applicable to future machines on the path to commercial fusion”, comments Rob Bamber, ST40 Chief Engineer.In this week’s Fusion Pioneer video, Rob briefly introduces ST40, our world-leading compact spherical tokamak, and explains two of the main objectives of our current campaign. We’re commissioning our Thomson Scattering diagnostic to measure electron density and temperature profiles, and we’re developing what’s known as ‘diverted plasma’ scenarios, leading to higher performance plasmas.This all informs our fusion pilot plant programme, which will demonstrate the capability to deliver clean, affordable and secure fusion energy in the 2030s.
Fusion Pioneer Samara Levine - Understanding the impact of neutrons on fusion power plant materials Tokamak Energy 2023-08-10 | As we progress the design of our fusion pilot plant, our Fusion Pioneer this week, Samara Levine, explains how we’re working to understand the impact of neutrons on structural materials. Neutrons carry around 80% of the energy from fusion reactions and it’s this energy we’ll capture to generate clean, secure fusion power. Understanding the impact of neutrons is especially important for components surrounding the ‘breeder’ blanket, where we’ll capture the energy as well as ‘breed’ the tritium we’ll use as a fuel.Last week, we were awarded our eighth US Department of Energy INFUSE grant to progress understanding of the impact of helium in irradiated materials, another important factor. Working to identify the most reliable and cost-effective materials for future fusion power plants is a key part of our mission to commercialise fusion energy, helping to protect the planet and ensure energy security for all.
Fusion Pioneers Jack Astbury - Plasma physics to globally deployable energy Tokamak Energy 2023-07-25 | How will we capture the energy from fusion? Our #fusionpioneer Jack Astbury explains the technology we’re developing to take #fusion from #plasmaphysics to a globally deployable energy source. Jack is our Fusion Technology Manager and describes in the video how we’ll capture the energy from the deuterium-tritium fusion reaction. We do this by surrounding the plasma in a ‘breeding blanket’ that will convert the kinetic energy of neutrons into usable thermal energy, as well as ‘breeding’ the tritium we use as a fuel. "Everything we do at Tokamak Energy is geared towards commercial energy," says Jack.#fusionpioneers #fusionenergy #energytransition #cleanenergy #energytransformation
ST40 tokamak plasma pulse 10969 Tokamak Energy 2023-07-19 | This is one of the first plasma pulses of our new campaign with our record-breaking ST40 tokamak.Last year, we achieved verified plasma temperatures of over 100 million degrees Celsius, considered the threshold for fusion energy and proving the potential for fusion power plants based on the high field spherical tokamak.In this campaign, we’re developing what’s known as ‘diverted plasma’ scenarios, which should lead to higher performance plasmas, as well as commissioning our Thomson Scattering diagnostic to measure electron density and temperature profiles.The campaign runs for three months and the learnings will inform our fusion pilot plant programme, which will demonstrate the capability to deliver clean, affordable and secure fusion energy to the grid in the 2030s.
Fusion Pioneer Anna Hills - Assembling Demo4, the worlds first tokamak configuration HTS magnet Tokamak Energy 2023-07-13 | Assembling more than 15,000 components into the world’s first spherical tokamak configuration HTS magnet is a major task. Our fusion pioneer this week, project engineer Anna Hills, gives an insight into the system assembly process for Demo4, our ground-breaking high temperature super-conducting (HTS) magnet project. HTS magnet technology improves the performance and cost effectiveness of spherical tokamaks, unlocking the pathway to clean, affordable fusion energy. Demo4 will allow us to demonstrate operation and test our HTS coils in fusion power plant-relevant scenarios for the first time. The learnings will feed into our fusion pilot plant programme which aims to demonstrate the capability to deliver fusion energy to the grid in the 2030s
Fusion Pioneer Erica Thake - protecting and commercialising our pioneering technology Tokamak Energy 2023-06-29 | Tokamak Energy is in the business of developing new technologies and new ideas. In this week’s Fusion Pioneer video, our IP Manager, Erica Thake, explains why Intellectual Property (IP) is so important to us in terms of attracting investment and enhancing value, helping us to protect and commercialise our innovations.Our pioneering high temperature superconducting (HTS) #magnet technology for example is an key part of our approach to commercial fusion energy but also has a range of other potential applications such space, medical, scientific research and clean aviation.
Fusion Pioneer Sandeep Irukuvarghula - developing materials for a fusion power plant Tokamak Energy 2023-06-15 | ‘It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to directly address the challenge of climate change’, says this week’s fusion pioneer, Sandeep Irukuvarghula, of what drives him to work in fusion energy.As fusion moves closer to a commercial reality, our focus at Tokamak Energy shifts towards solving the engineering challenges of future fusion power plants.In this video, Sandeep explains how his work as a materials specialist involves not just identifying and developing suitable materials for fusion, but also looking at advanced manufacturing techniques to ensure they’re economic to produce and commercially viable for the life of a fusion plant.
The spherical tokamak: How does it work? And what are the benefits? Tokamak Energy 2023-06-13 | The spherical tokamak: How does it work? And what are the benefits? Watch our new animation to learn more about our pioneering approach to fusion energy. The spherical tokamak is one of two world-leading technologies we’re developing at Tokamak Energy – along with High Temperature Superconducting (HTS) magnets – that we believe will be central to the development of clean, affordable and globally deployable fusion energy.
Fusion Pioneers Vivian Lee - Plasma Facing Components Tokamak Energy 2023-06-01 | ‘It’s like a rocket re-entering the atmosphere from space, and greater than that’, is how our fusion pioneer, Vivian Lee, describes the thermal loads inside a fusion plant.Vivian’s early interest in aerospace led her to a degree in aerospace engineering and a PhD in thermodynamics. She now leads a team working on Plasma Facing Components at Tokamak Energy and explains the work we’re doing to develop and manufacture components that will be able to withstand the extreme conditions inside a fusion power plant as we move closer to the commercialisation of fusion energy.
Fusion Pioneers Max Rowland & Vicky Bayliss - Testing our HTS magnet performance and durability Tokamak Energy 2023-05-18 | Our pioneering High Temperature Superconducting (HTS) magnets must be able to withstand extreme conditions to keep fusion power plants running in the future. In this week’s Fusion Pioneers video, Vicky Bayliss, Senior Cryogenics Engineer, and Max Rowland, HTS Magnet Technician, explain how we’re testing magnet durability and performance at the US DOE Sandia Laboratories in Albuquerque.
Tokamak Energy 2023 Overview Tokamak Energy 2023-05-04 | We're on a mission to generate clean, grid-ready fusion energy in the 2030s. Here's an overview of our approach what we've achieved so far.
Fusion Pioneer Ed Guise - HTS magnets: unlocking their amazing properties Tokamak Energy 2023-05-04 | HTS magnets are a key part of our pioneering approach to fusion energy. Our Fusion Pioneer, Cryogenics Engineer Edward Guise, explains how our advanced HTS magnets work, and how cryogenics allows us to unlock their amazing properties.He explains how we’ll cool the magnets in our new, world-leading Demo4 test programme, and why it’s such an important step on our pathway to commercialising fusion energy.
Fusion Pioneer Yuichi Takase - Working towards commercial fusion energy Tokamak Energy 2023-04-21 | Our #FusionPioneer, Yuichi Takase, originally from Japan, has spent his entire professional life working towards seeing clean fusion energy connected to the grid. Following a career at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Tokyo University, Yuichi explains why the Tokamak Energy approach of combining the spherical tokamak with high temperature superconducting magnets attracted him to the company two years ago.
Fusion Pioneers Jon Wood - Heating plasmas to over 100 million degrees Tokamak Energy 2023-04-08 | Our ST40 control room was recently described in The Economist as befitting ‘the set of James Bond’. In our latest #FusionPioneer video, plasma physicist Jonathan Wood gives an insight into the vibrant atmosphere during operations.Jon explains how we heat our plasmas to over 100 million degrees, six times hotter than the sun and why validating that achievement is so important. ‘It’s not enough to say we got there’, he says, ‘we have to prove how we got there.’
Fusion Pioneers Hazel Lowe Thomson Scattering Tokamak Energy 2023-03-24 | ‘It’s like a fancy speed gun for electrons’, is how our Fusion Pioneer, Dr Hazel Lowe, head of laser and soft x-ray diagnostics, describes our new Thomson Scattering laser diagnostics system. Hazel explains how firing a laser beam enables us to measure plasma electron temperature and density, and why those are such important factors as we pioneer the way towards a cleaner, sustainable future with energy security for all.
Fusion Pioneers Cary Colgan SXR Diagnostics Tokamak Energy 2023-03-09 | The pioneering spirit is embedded in our DNA, and it’s exhibited every day by our people. This is the first in a new series called ‘Fusion Pioneers’, a behind-the-scenes look at the work of some of our team as we develop a pioneering new energy source.Cary Colgan is one of our Plasma Diagnosticians, whose work in Soft X-Ray (SXR) diagnostics involves looking into the heart of fusion plasmas, which are many times hotter than the sun. SXR is just one of over 30 diagnostics systems we’re using and developing at Tokamak Energy, enabling us to monitor, measure and optimise plasma performance in our ST40 tokamak and future devices.The information we’re gathering will feed into the design of our advanced fusion prototype, ST80-HTS, the next step on our pathway to commercial fusion energy.
Pioneering HTS magnets for commercial fusion power Tokamak Energy 2023-01-17 | Commercial fusion energy will require strong magnetic fields to confine and control the plasma. In our next spherical tokamak we will use ground-breaking high temperature superconducting (HTS) tape which generates stronger magnetic fields, takes up less space and requires less cooling power.
Tokamak Energy Values Tokamak Energy 2023-01-13 | Safety, Agility, Collaboration, Creativity and Respect. Our values underpin everything we're doing to achieve our vision of fusion as an affordable and readily available energy source for all.
Our path to demonstrate grid-ready fusion energy in the early 2030s Tokamak Energy 2022-10-25 | Our advanced prototype, ST80-HTS will be the world’s first high field spherical tokamak using high temperature superconducting (HTS) magnets, at scale. ST80-HTS will demonstrate multiple advanced technologies required for the delivery of commercial fusion energy. With build completion planned in 2026, it will also demonstrate the key operating advantages of the spherical tokamak and inform the design of the ST-E1 fusion pilot plant. This in turn will demonstrate the capability to deliver electricity into the grid in the early 2030s, producing up to 200 MW of net electrical power.
Fusion as an affordable and readily available energy source. Fusion for all. Tokamak Energy 2022-10-20 | Purposeful. Pragmatic. Pioneering. We've launched our new brand reflecting our renewed vision, global ambition, as well as our heritage. At Tokamak Energy we have a bold vision: to recreate the power of fusion – the energy that powers the Sun – to deliver a clean, sustainable and affordable energy source for our planet.
Moving closer to commercial fusion Tokamak Energy 2022-03-10 | Tokamak Energy has demonstrated a world-first with its ST40 spherical tokamak, achieving a plasma temperature of 100 million degrees Celsius, the threshold required for commercial fusion energy. This is by far the highest temperature ever achieved in a spherical tokamak and by any privately funded tokamak.
Breakthrough in efficient powering of high temperature superconductor magnets Tokamak Energy 2021-12-21 | Tokamak Energy has recently announced a breakthrough design of cryogenic, or very low temperature, power electronics technology for the high-efficiency operation of its superconducting magnets. This will result in reduced costs of future fusion power plants – which is key to commercialising and scaling the technology.The power electronics team at Tokamak Energy has developed a novel power converter inside a vacuum cryostat. Successful tests completed last month have demonstrated a 50% reduction in the power required for cooling HTS magnets.
Its Time for Fusion - Tokamak Energy November 2021 Tokamak Energy 2021-11-10 | Tokamak Energy’s vision of achieving abundant, clean and limitless commercial fusion energy is captured in our latest video, which features our ground-breaking engineering work in HTS magnet technology.
Testing high temperature superconducting (HTS) tapes for use in fusion devices Tokamak Energy 2021-06-09 | One of the jobs of the HTS team is to test samples of high temperature superconductor (HTS) tape to determine how they perform in a magnetic field. Here, HTS Magnet Physicist Matt Bristow shows us the tests he runs to determine the critical current and tells us why it's important to know this information. He also demonstrates why HTS is a superior choice over copper when it comes to making powerful magnets for fusion devices.
The ST40 divertor innovation story fast-tracking a tokamak upgrade during a global pandemic Tokamak Energy 2021-05-12 | Fast-tracking a divertor into ST40 during the Covid-19 pandemic--how did they do it? In 2019, the Divertor Team was designing a divertor for a future major upgrade of ST40. But then, in early 2020, it was decided to fast-track a divertor into the current ST40, without a major upgrade, in order to improve performance for the 100 million degree milestone. It was always going to be a huge challenge, but then coronavirus struck as well. But Tokamak Energy prides itself on the team's agility and innovation. Hear the story of the challenge and how they tackled it from Daniel Iglesias and Rob Bamber.
What does a cryogenic engineer do? Cryogenics systems for fusion energy Tokamak Energy 2021-04-23 | What does a cryogenic engineer do, and why are cryogenic systems important for fusion energy? Here we talk to Vicky Bayliss, Cryogenic Engineer at Tokamak Energy, about her work and experiences in a fast-growing fusion company.
ST40 tokamak progress update - March 2021 Tokamak Energy 2021-03-01 | Our high-field spherical tokamak, ST40, has been having a major upgrade over the past year or so. Now it's just about ready to turn on again. This progress update is provided by Adrian McFarland, Electrical Engineering Manager, and Nick Armstrong, ST40 Programme Manager. We take a look at what's new with ST40 and what will be happening next. They also talk about how the team has been able to make progress on a complex construction and engineering project while dealing with the limitations that the Covid-19 pandemic has placed on everyone.
Working as an HTS magnet physicist for fusion energy Tokamak Energy 2021-02-02 | Matt Bristow, High Temperature Superconducting (HTS) magnet physicist at Tokamak Energy, talks about his job working with HTS tapes and translating the data he collects into bigger magnets for tokamaks that will be used to produce fusion energy. Matt tells us what he enjoys about his job and how he works with other members of the Tokamak Energy physics and engineering teams to design future fusion devices.
2020 fusion progress at Tokamak Energy Tokamak Energy 2021-01-04 | 2020 has been an unusual and challenging year for all of us, but despite the restrictions of Covid-19, Tokamak Energy has continued to make progress. In this video, CEO Jonathan Carling tells us what has been going on at Tokamak Energy in 2020, showing the upgrade of our high-field tokamak ST40, outlining progress on HTS magnet development and discussing our future plans.
HR challenges in a fast-growing fusion company Tokamak Energy 2020-12-14 | Stacey Godfrey, new Director of Human Resources at Tokamak Energy, discusses the Tokamak Energy team and the HR challenges of working in such a fast-growing, technical company.Stacey talks about how Tokamak Energy has continued to recruit staff in 2020, how much the company needs to grow in the coming years and how she is going to be working to ensure Tokamak Energy has the staff it needs to achieve its fusion energy mission.
Why is magnetism important for fusion power generation? Tokamak Energy 2020-10-08 | An understanding of electromagnetism is crucial for studying and developing fusion energy for power generation. For many fusion devices, magnets are vital for holding the hot fusion fuel--but it's more than just that. Elecromagnetism is a fundamental building block of fusion science.Visiting the Royal Institution, where the British scientist Michael Faraday developed his theory of electromagnetism, Dr Melanie Windridge gives 3 reasons why we need to understand magnetism if we are to produce electricity from fusion. With thanks to the Royal Institution rigb.org
Cooling the magnetic coils to improve performance of the ST40 tokamak Tokamak Energy 2020-09-21 | In tokamak experiments that use copper coils for magnets (rather than superconductors), the copper will heat up as current flows through them. Cooling the copper can improve performance by enabling the copper to carry more current and thereby produce higher magnetic fields. Doug Rose-Innes, Consultant Mechanical Engineer, tells us about the liquid nitrogen system being installed on ST40 to cool the copper coils, discussing why do we need it, why can't we have any liquid nitrogen in the tokamak when firing a shot, and how we control the flow of nitrogen within the system. Filmed before Covid-19.
Tokamak Energy Update: August 2020 Tokamak Energy 2020-08-24 | 2020 has been an unusual year with all of us adapting to new ways of working during the COVID-19 pandemic. Tokamak Energy has continued to make progress despite the difficulties. Find out more in this short update.
Managing the extreme heat in a tokamak fusion device - introducing the divertor Tokamak Energy 2020-07-17 | The divertor is the exhaust system of the tokamak, the world's most advanced fusion device. It gives us a way of managing the high levels of heat and power from the hot plasma fuel, and also a way of removing impurities. Here, Dr Melanie Windridge is joined by Dr Steven McNamara, Physics Programme Manager, and Dr Daniel Iglesias Ibanez, Divertor Team Leader, to show us how divertors, limiters and sacrificial regions can be used to manage the extreme heat loads in the tokamak.
Working in cutting-edge engineering development with HTS magnets Tokamak Energy 2020-06-29 | What is it like working in cutting-edge engineering development in a field that could change the future of energy? Dr Rod Bateman, HTS Development Manager, tells us about his work in high temperature superconductor (HTS) magnet development and why it is so exciting for him to work at Tokamak Energy.For more information about careers at Tokamak Energy and how you could contribute to the development of fusion energy, please see our website.This video was filmed before coronavirus lockdown and social distancing measures.
Ten years of Tokamak Energy: the rapid progress of a private fusion company Tokamak Energy 2020-06-17 | The end of 2019 marked the tenth birthday of Tokamak Energy. The years have flown by for us, but there has been a lot going on as a private company in pursuit of fusion energy! Come back with us through the years as we talk to founders Dr David Kingham and Dr Mikhail Gryaznevich about the early aims and ambitions of the company, the progress that has been made over the last ten years, and what they hope for the future.
Matt Ridley shows his support for fusion energy Tokamak Energy 2020-05-28 | Matt Ridley, author of The Rational Optimist and the new book How Innovation Works has learned a lot about innovation. In a recent Facebook Live Q&A as part of his virtual book tour, we asked him about his thoughts on fusion energy. In this short clip he shows his knowledge of recent advances in the field, invites us to imagine a world with fusion energy and gives one sure-fire way to stifle fusion innovation.About Matt Ridley:www.mattridley.co.ukTwitter: @mattwridley twitter.com/mattwridleyFacebook: @authormattridley facebook.com/authormattridleyMore about the book:harpercollins.co.uk/9780008334819/how-innovation-works
How I got here - Lucy Scott, Control Systems Engineer, Tokamak Energy Tokamak Energy 2020-05-27 | Lucy Scott, Control Systems Engineer at Tokamak Energy, tells us about the things she loved doing as a child and the similarities she sees in her career now, and in the work she does for Tokamak Energy.This was filmed before coronavirus lockdown.
What are superconductors? And what is HTS? Tokamak Energy 2020-05-04 | Superconductors are very special materials that have weird but useful properties. But what are they, why are they weird and what do we need them for? Dr Greg Brittles and Dr Melanie Windridge tell us what superconductors are, how high temperature superconductors (called HTS) are different and why they are important for fusion energy.
What is a tokamak? And is a spherical tokamak different? Tokamak Energy 2020-04-30 | Scientists are trying to replicate the conditions found in the centres of stars to make clean energy on Earth. A tokamak is the best way we have found to do this so far, although other approaches are also being tried and are making good progress. Here, Dr Melanie Windridge talks about the conditions we need for fusion and how we can get close to these conditions in tokamaks. Find out where the name "tokamak" comes from and how they are able to trap hot fusion fuels using a combination of strong magnetic fields. Finally, hear how a 'spherical' tokamak is different to an ordinary one, and what advantages this has that could help us make fusion power stations for clean, sustainable energy.
What is a plasma? Tokamak Energy 2020-04-30 | Plasma is the most extreme state of matter in the universe, sometimes called "the fourth state of matter". Find out how a plasma differs from an ordinary gas and how you're probably more familiar with plasmas than you think. Presented by Dr Melanie Windridge and filmed in the Faraday Theatre of the Royal Institution, London.With thanks to the Royal Institution rigb.org
What is Fusion Energy? Tokamak Energy 2020-04-30 | Fusion energy is the dream energy source - clean, green, safe and abundant - and it's coming. After decades of research in publicly-funded labs, several private companies are now building on the theoretical foundations and engineering concepts for commercialisation. But what is fusion energy, and why do we need it?Presented by Dr Melanie Windridge and filmed in the Faraday Theatre of the Royal Institution, London.With thanks to the Royal Institution rigb.org
The secret to Tokamak Energys successful progress so far Tokamak Energy 2020-04-07 | Tokamak Energy is ten years old and over that time the company has made rapid progress to be at the forefront of fusion energy research and development. Senior Commercial Manager, Dr Ross Morgan, tells us what he thinks are some of the reasons for Tokamak Energy's success in this area.
Tour of the Tokamak Energy development facility Tokamak Energy 2020-03-25 | Get an introduction to the work of a fusion energy company on this tour of the Tokamak Energy development facility. See the ST40 tokamak and hear about the physics programme from Dr Steven McNamara; take a look around the control room with Dr Otto Asunta; and hear about designing innovative high field magnets with Dr Greg Brittles in the HTS lab.
How I Got Here - Maryam Adeel, Management Accountant, Tokamak Energy Tokamak Energy 2020-02-13 | Maryam Adeel, Management Accountant at Tokamak Energy, tells us about how she always loved numbers and patterns as a child, and how this - along with an interest in business as she got older - led her into accountancy.Maryam is a ACCA qualified Accountant and holds a BSc (Hons) degree in Applied Accounting from Oxford Brookes University. She joined Tokamak Energy as a Management Accountant in May 2018. Prior to this she was Senior Accountant at Oxford University Press from 2013 to 2018, and Financial Accountant at Aurora Fashions 2010 - 2013.Find out more about Maryam's work at Tokamak Energy: youtu.be/ORpNGMRNhKQ
