The University of Birmingham and EPRI are collaborating through the £2.63 million FURESHMA program to test boride and carbide shielding materials for fusion reactors, addressing a critical challenge in developing viable fusion energy. This transatlantic partnership combines Birmingham’s materials expertise with EPRI’s energy research experience, building on initial work with Tokamak Energy and aiming to improve the durability of components facing intense neutron irradiation.
According to Professor Arunodaya Bhattacharya, Chair in Fusion Energy at the University of Birmingham, “Fusion energy has the potential to provide a secure, low-carbon source of power for future generations, but commercial deployment depends on developing materials capable of withstanding fusion’s extreme conditions.” The project will make research data openly available to benefit the global fusion community.
FURESHMA Program Advances Boride & Carbide Shielding for Fusion Reactors
The FURESHMA program is directly addressing material durability, testing boride and carbide compounds as potential shielding against the intense neutron bombardment inherent in fusion reactor operation. These materials are not merely being studied for theoretical resilience; the £2.63 million project, jointly funded by the UKRI Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council and EPRI, focuses on practical performance under simulated fusion conditions.
This emphasis on testing, rather than solely material discovery, signals a shift toward tackling engineering challenges critical for viable fusion power plants. Element Six participates in the program, building on an initial partnership established with Tokamak Energy, indicating a clear pathway toward practical application beyond fundamental research.
EPRI’s involvement extends beyond financial support, providing insights into the needs of future plant developers and operators, according to Steve Chengelis, EPRI Vice President, Nuclear Development and Fusion. “Developing fusion power plants that are buildable, reliable and maintainable will require a deeper understanding of how key materials perform under fusion conditions,” Chengelis said. This connection between materials science and practical energy systems is a defining feature of the FURESHMA program, aiming to bridge the gap between laboratory research and commercial deployment.
The program’s structure facilitates knowledge exchange, ensuring research outcomes are readily available to investors and vendors who may enter the fusion energy market. Professor Arunodaya Bhattacharya’s recent appointment to the Steering Committee of the international MatDB4Fusion initiative further underscores the University of Birmingham’s commitment to open science and data sharing.
Birmingham is currently the sole university globally represented on the MatDB4Fusion program, a position that allows for the dissemination of research findings and the acceleration of fusion energy development through improved access to materials data. Andrew Sowder, Senior Technical Executive, Fusion Energy Strategic Program at EPRI, also serves on the MatDB4Fusion Steering Committee, solidifying the transatlantic collaboration’s influence on the global fusion research landscape.
The University of Birmingham is renowned for its fusion research and training, and this work with EPRI creates a transatlantic bridge that complements the university’s technical leadership and connects its nuclear materials science expertise with opportunities to speed the progress of fusion energy technology toward deployment, according to university representatives. Fusion, they note, has the potential to provide virtually limitless clean energy while supporting more than 10,000 jobs across the UK by 2030, attracting investment and creating major opportunities for British businesses.
Fusion energy has the potential to provide a secure, low-carbon source of power for future generations, but commercial deployment depends on developing materials capable of withstanding fusion’s extreme conditions in terms of temperatures, irradiation doses and thermo-mechanical stresses.
Professor Arunodaya Bhattacharya, Chair in Fusion Energy at the University of Birmingham and Deputy Head of Research in the School of Metallurgy and Materials
UK-US Collaboration Strengthens Fusion Material Research via MatDB4Fusion
The FURESHMA program actively connects laboratory research with the demands of future fusion power plants, a direct outcome of the collaboration between the University of Birmingham and EPRI. This transatlantic partnership extends beyond material testing to encompass open science principles; all data generated through FURESHMA will be made publicly available, benefiting both UK industry and the broader global fusion community. The University of Birmingham’s established expertise in fusion materials is further strengthened by the inclusion of Element Six and the initial partnership with Tokamak Energy, creating a pathway for commercialization of research breakthroughs.
By improving the durability and long-term performance of these materials, FURESHMA aims to enhance the reliability and economic viability of future fusion power plants. “By combining the University of Birmingham’s world-leading expertise in fusion materials with EPRI’s deep understanding of the energy sector, we can accelerate the solutions that will bring fusion power to the grid,” a spokesperson noted, underscoring the program’s potential to contribute to a sustainable energy future. The collaborative effort reflects a shared vision of harnessing fusion energy to address climate change, bolster energy security, and meet growing global energy demands.
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