Magnetic Research Fusion Programme 2017-2022

Lead Research Organisation: CCFE/UKAEA
Department Name: Culham Centre for Fusion Energy

Abstract

CCFE's mission is to harness the fusion process that powers the sun by using magnetic fields in order to develop a large-scale carbon-free energy source and position the UK to be a leading provider in the international fusion energy economy. Fusion has the potential to be an important component of the portfolio of measures needed to ensure a secure, environmentally responsible, supply of energy. CCFE is a major player in a global collaboration aimed at producing a commercial-scale fusion demonstration reactor (DEMO), which will be preceded by the demonstration of the first self-sustaining plasmas in ITER, the next-step international fusion experiment under construction in France. CCFE operates the world's largest tokamak, JET, under contract to EURATOM, as well as being pioneers of the spherical tokamak, with an exciting upgrade to the UK facility MAST becoming operational in 2017. JET is unarguably the best facility for preparation for ITER, whilst MAST Upgrade is a uniquely capable machine for understanding and developing ways to exhaust the heat in DEMO. This strength in tokamak physics is complemented by growing, internationally-leading programmes in materials science, fusion technology and remote maintenance.
The CCFE strategy is aligned with the EU fusion programme, with all the science and technology benefits that brings, as well as access to facilities and substantial EU funding leveraged by our UK funding. The JET contribution supported by this grant (~£9M pa) leverages the JET Operating Contract worth ~£45M pa. Furthermore, we expect the remainder of the programme to leverage nearly 40% extra funding from the EU.
Whilst the successful operation of ITER remains the first major goal of the fusion community, there are big issues for realising fusion electricity in materials and technology. These are also the areas with greater synergies with other fields. Reflecting this, the UK has invested ~£10M via NNUF (National Nuclear User Facility) in a nuclear Materials Research Facility (MRF), opened at CCFE in 2016. The MRF is aligned with, and will receive funding from, the Sir Henry Royce Institute materials initiative. Fusion and fission materials science and technology capabilities have grown in both theory & modelling, experiments and manufacturing. We are growing a programme in materials technology (including advanced manufacturing and component prototyping) with several universities and industrial partners. The Oxford City Deal has provided ~£10M for a new building for the centre for Remote Applications in Challenging Environments (RACE), opened in 2016, building on expertise from maintenance of JET for spin-out to other industries as well as keeping the UK at the forefront of fusion remote maintenance. Further opportunities arising from collaborations with non-fusion fields such as fission, aerospace and data-intensive computing through H2020 projects are being exploited, to mutual benefit.
The four main drivers of our programme are (i) to ensure a leading position for the UK in the first burning plasmas in ITER; (ii) to develop integrated nuclear fusion power plant designs; (iii) to innovate in order to drive down the capital and operational cost of fusion reactors; and (iv) to exploit synergies to further UK interests and develop UK skills and growth. Finally, we will maintain our excellent apprentice training (the Oxford Advanced Skills centre is due to open in 2017) and PhD supervision, whilst increasing our post-doc intake to provide a career path for development of the ITER generation, benefitting from the top students trained in the UK.

Planned Impact

Supporting a world leading R&D programme in magnetic confinement will position the UK at the forefront of the future fusion energy economy, which has the potential to provide abundant, carbon-free energy. Whilst the EU roadmap is to have the first fusion electricity produced 20 years after ITER reaches Q=10, the CCFE programme makes valuable near-term contributions to UK prosperity, in economic growth, the UK skills base and reducing cost and risk of nuclear power:

Economic Growth - ITER represents a continuing opportunity for the UK, and CCFE will assist UK industry to win contracts. To date, EUR400M has been awarded to UK industry, most of which has been facilitated by our sector-specific world-leading expertise. We are targeting EUR1bn for the UK from ITER. In the future, DEMO represents a new opportunity for UK industry - at present the work is likely to be mainly part-funded and EPSRC funds are needed to establish the UK position in future fully-funded opportunities for industry. China has also announced its intention to develop an ITER-scale device called CFETR (Chinese Fusion Energy Test Reactor) rapidly. CCFE has established relations with key Chinese fusion labs who particularly value our expertise in robotics and materials. Our fusion connections with China provide a gateway to fission opportunities.
By helping to secure ITER contracts for UK industrial partners we will transfer technology and know-how into the industrial supply line, increasing capability for developing/supplying fusion power stations as well as a vehicle to transfer fusion technology into other markets, such as fission, aerospace, and oil & gas. We are pursuing opportunities for spin-offs from fusion to other fields, notably in materials and robotics.

Skills - UKAEA has key R&D nuclear skills, recognised in the Beddington review of 2013 following a House of Lords inquiry. Our programme tackles key technology issues for the next steps in fusion which are relevant to fission new-build, including design opportunities for Small Modular Reactors and next generation fission reactors. Training is also a major focus, with strong links to several CDTs (notably in fusion led by York) contributing to training the next generation of fusion scientists and technologists. UKAEA itself also has an outstanding apprentice programme (winning many national awards) and a significant programme in training graduate engineers.

Finally, we will contribute to the EPSRC mission to "Generate public awareness, Communicate research outcomes, and Encourage public engagement and dialogue" through (i) Public outreach - we hold open events at Culham for up to 1000 people per year; attend local (Oxfordshire) and National Science Festivals (aspiring to exhibit at the Royal Society Summer Exhibition in the grant period); give external talks; guide ~200 visits to CCFE per year; increase social media presence (Twitter, Facebook) and host websites (www.ukaea.uk; www.ccfe.ac.uk, etc); (ii) Education outreach - our dedicated schools days allow up to 2000 KS4 students to visit Culham whilst the Sun Dome activity (originally funded by EPSRC grants) will continue to visit KS2 (primary) pupils. New KS3 (11-14 year old secondary students) activities soon to be launched, based on an interactive fusion website with virtual tours, video content etc.; (iii) Public Affairs - we will continue to visit and brief key UK and European stakeholders; and (iv) Media - we will accommodate most media requests for interviews and filming to disseminate UK research worldwide.

Organisations

Publications

10 25 50
 
Description Many advances towards realising a fusion power station across plasma physics, instrumentation, materials science, technology and engineering - the section on Narrative Impact explains the breadth of our contributions. These are summarised in >200 publications per year (journal papers, conference papers, etc.), many as part of EUROfusion research programmes (including JET), and many with our staff as first authors. See http://www.ccfe.ac.uk/Journal_papers.aspx
Exploitation Route Please see Narrative Impact section
Sectors Energy

URL http://www.ccfe.ac.uk/Journal_papers.aspx
 
Description This grant has provided the UK's host funding contribution to JET operations for a collective European fusion research programme (that includes many CCFE and UK university scientists). JET is the European experiment sited at Culham and operated by UKAEA under contract from EURATOM. It has also supported capabilities which have enabled: (1) The New National Fusion Technology Platform to support UK industry win over £1Bn from ITER opportunities (ITER is the >£10Bn international, power-station-scale fusion experiment being built in France) The risk reduction programme has placed 13 contracts with industry since June18 to help create new UK iP, which will be of value to industry during the proposals for the next phase of significant ITER contracts, namely Hot cell, Tritium plant, Heating systems, Diagnostics and port cell integration (2) UK companies continue to win key contracts from ITER - key contracts include the €100 million cask & plug contract won by a consortium of Airbus Safran Launchers, Nuvia and Cegelec CEM and the €174M construction management contract won by a consortium of Amec Foster Wheeler (now Wood Group plc), Assystem and KEPCO E&C. (3) A major, wide-ranging research programme covering R&D on (a) tokamak plasma science, with focuses on ITER plasma performance and the spherical tokamak concept, and (b) fusion technologies and materials, focusing more on fusion power stations, and the pre-conceptual design of DEMO, the EU demonstration fusion power plant - most of the R&D is done in collaboration with UK universities and with overseas collaborators, the latter often as part of the EUROfusion programme which part-funds much of the research, especially on JET experiments and on technology, materials and DEMO studies. (4) Research in tokamak plasma science concentrates on the key physics issues that govern fusion performance and the compatibility of sustaining hot fusion plasmas whilst minimising damage to adjacent surfaces - activities include working with collaborators within EUROfusion to improve the fusion performance of JET, the largest tokamak in the world with the same plasma-facing materials as ITER, in preparation for experiments in 2020 with the deuterium-tritium gas mix used in a reactor and performing integrated modelling to predict the performance of ITER, informed by the latest results from JET; the exhaust of heat and particles, a key issue for DEMO, is studied through experiments on international facilities and state-of-the-art numerical modelling. (5) Fusion technology and materials work has addressed development of engineering and component concepts required for DEMO, materials/component technologies including options for manufacture (such as additive manufacturing), and modelling of fundamental behaviour of fusion materials, especially steels and tungsten, focusing on how their properties change in high neutron flux and high heat flux environments (6) Completion of the build of MAST Upgrade (a magnetic fusion device based on a spherical tokamak concept) with commissioning in an advanced state - with first plasma in 2019 ready for fusion experiments to be carried out by CCFE, UK universities and overseas collaborators; €10.9M has been secured from EUROfusion/EURATOM for later enhancements to MAST Upgrade http://www.ccfe.ac.uk/mast_upgrade_project.aspx (7) Maintaining the UK's world lead in fusion robotics, which has led to UK industry having major roles in ITER robotics (see above), to UKAEA's RACE centre hosting the ITER robotics test facility, and being the largest contributor to development of robotics for DEMO. (8) Improvements and related applications in underpinning capabilities required for fusion development, e.g. in (a) fundamental materials modelling and related experiments, and (b) nuclear system modelling (neutronics, nuclear data, etc.), making some of our world-leading codes available to other, non-fusion-R&D, research communities. (9) Improvements to computational capabilities in fusion R&D, many aligned with AI and other priorities in the UK Industrial Strategy and many in collaboration with STFC and other researchers in other "big science" fields like astronomy, particle physics, meteorology, etc. Examples include (a) novel scientific algorithms in simulation codes, e.g. using the "parallel in time" "Parareal" approach to speed up plasma simulations, (b) GPU technology for massively parallel fast ion tracking problems with applications to ITER, (c) leading the European Fusion community's involvement in the European Open Science Cloud, and pursuing other cloud-based options, (d) a development of the tools that will be required to access and get the most information out of the enormous amounts of data that ITER will collect. (10) Outreach: many hundreds of visitors to the Culham site, including VIPs and open evenings and open days for the general public, many visits to and from schools, etc. (11) Many training contributions - undergraduate, masters and PhD students, lectures in university courses, Culham Plasma Physics Summer School, apprentices (some of whom move to industry on completion), etc. (12) Leveraging EUROfusion funding not only for CCFE's core fusion programme (~10M€ pa) but also around 1M€ for UK universities (student funding, participation in European research projects, post-doctoral positions)
First Year Of Impact 2017
Sector Energy
Impact Types Societal

 
Description FAIR4Fusion
Amount € 1,987,960 (EUR)
Funding ID 847612 
Organisation European Commission H2020 
Sector Public
Country Belgium
Start 05/2019 
End 05/2021
 
Description H2020-EINFRA-2020 EOSC-hub
Amount € 30,000,000 (EUR)
Funding ID 777536 
Organisation European Commission H2020 
Sector Public
Country Belgium
Start 01/2018 
End 12/2020
 
Description H2020-FETHPC-2017 SAGE2
Amount € 3,997,118 (EUR)
Funding ID 800999 
Organisation European Commission H2020 
Sector Public
Country Belgium
Start 08/2018 
End 08/2020
 
Description INFRADEV-04-2016 EOSCpilot
Amount € 9,953,068 (EUR)
Funding ID 739563 
Organisation European Commission H2020 
Sector Public
Country Belgium
Start 01/2017 
End 12/2018
 
Description NFRP-2016-2017
Amount € 4,000,000 (EUR)
Funding ID 754586 (TRANSAT) 
Organisation European Atomic Energy Commission (EURATOM) 
Sector Public
Country Belgium
Start 08/2017 
End 08/2021
 
Description NFRP-2016-2017 Topic: NFRP-13
Amount € 4,000,000 (EUR)
Funding ID 755039 (M4F) 
Organisation European Atomic Energy Commission (EURATOM) 
Sector Public
Country Belgium
Start 08/2017 
End 08/2021
 
Description NFRP-2016-2017 Topic: NFRP-5
Amount € 3,999,182 (EUR)
Funding ID 755269 (GEMMA) 
Organisation European Atomic Energy Commission (EURATOM) 
Sector Public
Country Belgium
Start 08/2017 
End 08/2021
 
Description Robotics and Artificial Intelligence for Nuclear (RAIN)
Amount £12,807,912 (GBP)
Funding ID EP/R026084/1 
Organisation Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 09/2017 
End 04/2022
 
Description 3D Response & Control 
Organisation General Atomics
Country United States 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution Fine control of flux surfaces is critical for MAST-U boundary experiments, including control of the X-point, vertical displacements, ?rsep (a measure of up-down plasma shape imbalance), and the Super-X divertor. To achieve this, the MAST-U plasma control system (PCS), which is derived from the GA PCS that is in active use by devices around the world, would be upgraded to provide routine real-time equilibrium reconstruction and Isoflux shape control. The GA Toksys suite of control design tools, a mature toolbox developed and utilized by GA staff to build controllers for tokamaks worldwide, would be expanded to incorporate the MAST-U system description to enable shape controller design and simulation, and vertical control studies would be undertaken to optimize vertical stability in MAST-U. With these tools in hand, precision X-point and strike point control, which have been demonstrated to provide control to mm-accuracy at the DIII-D National Fusion Facility (DIII-D), would be implemented on MAST-U. Real-time divertor detachment control, recently achieved on DIII-D, would also be implemented to facilitate MAST-U divertor studies. The DIII-D Small Angle Slot and MAST-U Super-X divertor programs are well-aligned in their pursuit of optimal magnetic geometries in highly-closed volumes, while their substantially different aspect ratios allow for the validation of key divertor physics concepts, such as the importance of toroidal flux expansion and flaring to detachment and detachment control. The extensive divertor diagnostic suite at MAST-U would be used to measure the individual contributions to divertor power dissipation. These loss rates would then be compared to typical rates employed in predictive models, such as the Scrape-off Layer Plasma Simulation code. The balance of target power loads with changes to ?rsep would also be studied. The erosion and re-deposition of localized high-Z samples in different divertor configurations would be measured and used to benchmark models (such as ERO) to better understand tungsten sources in future large-scale devices.
Collaborator Contribution See above
Impact Ongoing
Start Year 2018
 
Description Advancing the physics basis for prediction and control of spherical tokamaks via experimental investigation of energetic ion driven instabilities and validation of simulations 
Organisation University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Country United States 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution The goals of the proposed research are to experimentally investigate the effects of energetic ion-driven instabilities on the energetic ions themselves and on the bulk plasma in the Mega Amp Spherical Tokamak Upgrade (MAST-U), and to validate the physics models of leading codes (e.g. HAGIS, HALO, HYM, GTC) that simulate the processes involved. The proposed research addresses the objectives of the MAST-U program, which seeks to break new ground in neutral beam heating and current drive in the spherical tokamak (ST) configuration. Energetic ions from neutral beams excite instabilities, or modes, across a broad range of frequencies, and the resulting transport can affect both heating and current drive. The investigation will extend from low frequency modes, including reverse shear (RSAE) and toroidicity-induced Alfvén eigenmodes (TAE) to high frequency modes, including global (GAE) and compressional (CAE) Alfvén eigenmodes.
Collaborator Contribution Provide experimental and theoretical support to achieve objectives
Impact Collaboration is still active
Start Year 2018
 
Description CCFE - Florida International University collaboration 
Organisation Florida International University (FIU)
Country United States 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Design, fabricate, and install a multichannel charged fusion product profile diagnostic to determine neutral beam ion density profile for checking TRANSP simulation results and for evaluating the effects of MHD, including Alfvénic modes, upon the beam density profile.
Collaborator Contribution See above
Impact Ongoing
Start Year 2020
 
Description CCFE - Imperial College London fusion collaboration 
Organisation Imperial College London
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Joint research on many aspects of fusion development - materials theory & modelling, high heat transfer engineering, plasma modelling, robotics. Co-supervision of many students including projects at CCFE (PhD and masters).
Collaborator Contribution Joint research on many aspects of fusion development - materials theory & modelling, high heat transfer engineering, plasma modelling, robotics, safety & licensing. Co-supervision of many students including projects at CCFE (PhD and masters).
Impact Various journal papers and conference contributions. Trained students - with career destinations in fusion and other disciplines
 
Description CCFE - Lancaster University fusion collaboration 
Organisation Lancaster University
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Joint research on neutronics, radiation detection and the theory of materials for use in fusion blanket systems. Co-supervision of students including projects at CCFE (PhD and undergraduate)
Collaborator Contribution Joint research on neutronics, radiation detection and the theory of materials for use in fusion blanket systems. Co-supervision of students including projects at CCFE (PhD and undergraduate)
Impact Various journal papers and conference contributions. Trained students - with career destinations in fusion and other disciplines. Contributions to development and use of NNUF ADRIANA radiation detection equipment at CCFE.
Start Year 2010
 
Description CCFE - Queen Mary University of London fusion collaboration 
Organisation Queen Mary University of London
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Joint research on length-scale effects in micromechanical properties of fusion materials. Co-supervision of a PhD student and three undergraduate year-long placements at CCFE.
Collaborator Contribution Joint research on length-scale effects in micromechanical properties of fusion materials. Co-supervision of a PhD student and three undergraduate year-long placements at CCFE.
Impact Journal papers and conference contributions. Trained students
Start Year 2014
 
Description CCFE - Queens University Belfast fusion collaboration 
Organisation Queen's University Belfast
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Joint research on atomic data for use with plasma measurement instrumentation.
Collaborator Contribution Joint research on atomic data for use with plasma measurement instrumentation, with a staff placement at CCFE.
Impact Journal papers and conference contributions.
 
Description CCFE - Reaction Engines - Advanced Propulsion 
Organisation Reaction Engines
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution Joint research and road mapping on nuclear and propulsion technologies and establishing wider UK collaborations
Collaborator Contribution Joint research and road mapping on nuclear and propulsion technologies and establishing wider UK collaborations
Impact Demonstrate potential to use UK expertise in new sector. Various journal papers and conference contributions
Start Year 2020
 
Description CCFE - TWI - Friction Stir Channel Welding of Cu and Cu alloys 
Organisation TWI The Welding Institue
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution Joint research on how the friction stir channeling technique works on fusion/heat transfer materials
Collaborator Contribution Joint research on how the friction stir channelling technique works on fusion/heat transfer materials
Impact New method that can be used to progress fusion and other sectors. Various journal papers and conference contributions
Start Year 2020
 
Description CCFE - Univ of California at Berkeley collaboration on nuclear materials 
Organisation University of California, Berkeley
Country United States 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Joint experiments on micro-indentation of materials for nuclear including fusion applications
Collaborator Contribution Joint experiments on micro-indentation of materials for nuclear including fusion applications
Impact None yet, experiments in progress
Start Year 2018
 
Description CCFE - University College London fusion collaboration 
Organisation University College London
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Joint research on fusion materials theory (radiation damage and spectroscopic detection of beryllium molecules in plasmas), fusion robotics and applications of machine learning to fusion data analysis. Co-supervision of PhD students on these topics.
Collaborator Contribution Joint research on fusion materials theory (radiation damage and spectroscopic detection of beryllium molecules in plasmas), fusion robotics and applications of machine learning to fusion data analysis. Co-supervision of PhD students on these topics.
Impact Various journal papers and conference contributions.
 
Description CCFE - University of Bath fusion collaboration 
Organisation University of Bath
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Co-supervision of undergraduate physics students on six month projects at CCFE.
Collaborator Contribution Co-supervision of undergraduate physics students on six month projects at CCFE.
Impact Trained students - with career destinations in fusion and other disciplines
 
Description CCFE - University of Birmingham fusion collaboration 
Organisation University of Birmingham
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Joint research on fusion materials science and technology. Co-supervision of many students including projects at CCFE (one PhD student, many projects for students on Birmingham's Masters in the Physics and Technology of Nuclear Reactors). Lectures at this masters course.
Collaborator Contribution Joint research on fusion materials science and technology. Co-supervision of many students including many projects at CCFE for students on Birmingham's Masters in the Physics and Technology of Nuclear Reactors).
Impact Journal papers and conference contributions. Trained students - with career destinations in fusion (some at CCFE) and other highly skilled disciplines
 
Description CCFE - University of Bristol fusion collaboration 
Organisation University of Bristol
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Joint research on fusion-relevant aspects of tritium management. Supervision of year in industry physics undergraduate projects and masters and PhD students (on tritium and plasma physics).
Collaborator Contribution Joint research on fusion-relevant aspects of tritium management. Co-supervision of masters and PhD students.
Impact Journal papers and conference contributions. Trained students - with further education and career destinations in fusion and other disciplines
Start Year 2010
 
Description CCFE - University of Bristol fusion collaboration 
Organisation University of Bristol
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Joint research on structural Integrity assessment (experimental investigation and modelling the deformation and failure of fusion materials at extreme conditions) of the nuclear fusion power plants. Professor Mostfavi from the University of Bristol is the UKAEA supported Royal Academy Research Chair in structural Integrity. Co-supervision of two PhD students and one postdoc research associate.
Collaborator Contribution Joint research on structural Integrity assessment (experimental investigation and modelling the deformation and failure of fusion materials at extreme conditions) of the nuclear fusion power plants. Professor Mostfavi visits CCFE on a regular basis to support CCFE's research activities in structural integrity. Co-supervision of two PhD students and one postdoc research associate. The postdoc researcher supports the development of small punch testing technique, creep-fatigue testing of joints, mechanical testing under magnetic fields and EUROfusion's EDDI testing etc.
Impact Various journal papers and conference contributions. Prepared one EPSRC grant proposal and one enabling research proposal together. Bristol awarded a ~5 million EPSRC prosperity partnership grant with UKAEA's support as an industry partner. Trained students - with career destinations in nuclear industry (fusion and fission) and other disciplines.
Start Year 2018
 
Description CCFE - University of Cambridge - Superconducting EMAT 
Organisation University of Cambridge
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Joint research optimizing superconducting technology, testing of materials and operation of defect detection technology
Collaborator Contribution Joint research optimizing superconducting technology, testing of materials and operation of defect detection technology
Impact New method that can be used to progress fusion and other sectors. Various journal papers and conference contributions
Start Year 2018
 
Description CCFE - University of Cambridge fusion collaboration 
Organisation University of Cambridge
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Joint work on fusion neutronics and related research, including co-supervision of masters students including with projects at CCFE. CCFE staff member doing PhD project on fusion reactor simulation.
Collaborator Contribution Joint work on fusion neutronics and related research, including co-supervision of masters students including with projects at CCFE. PhD project on fusion reactor simulation.
Impact Mainly trained students - with career destinations in fusion (3 at CCFE) and other disciplines
Start Year 2010
 
Description CCFE - University of Cardiff fusion collaboration 
Organisation Cardiff University
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Projects for Cardiff engineering undergraduates at CCFE
Collaborator Contribution Cardiff engineering undergraduates
Impact Student training.
Start Year 2017
 
Description CCFE - University of Durham fusion collaboration 
Organisation Durham University
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Joint research on instrumentation to measure fusion plasmas and superconductors for use in fusion reactors. Co-supervision of (mainly PhD) students, including some projects at CCFE.
Collaborator Contribution Joint research on instrumentation to measure fusion plasmas and superconductors for use in fusion reactors. Co-supervision of (mainly PhD) students, including some projects at CCFE.
Impact Various journal papers and conference contributions. Trained students - with career destinations in fusion and other disciplines
 
Description CCFE - University of Leeds fusion collaboration 
Organisation University of Leeds
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Co-supervision of PhD students on computational approaches to modelling fusion plasma physics, especially turbulence
Collaborator Contribution Co-supervision of PhD students on computational approaches to modelling fusion plasma physics, especially turbulence
Impact Journal papers and conference contributions, student training
Start Year 2014
 
Description CCFE - University of Liverpool fusion collaboration 
Organisation University of Liverpool
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Joint research on several aspects of fusion development (plasmas & instrumentation, risk and uncertainty quantification in fusion science and engineering, data provenance). Co-supervision of many PhD students on these topics including projects at CCFE
Collaborator Contribution Joint research on several aspects of fusion development (plasmas & instrumentation, risk and uncertainty quantification in fusion science and engineering, data provenance). Co-supervision of many PhD students on these topics including projects at CCFE
Impact Various journal papers and conference contributions. Trained students - with career destinations in fusion and other disciplines
 
Description CCFE - University of Manchester fusion collaboration 
Organisation University of Manchester
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Joint research on plasma-materials interaction and structural Integrity assessment of joints for nuclear fusion. Co-supervision of two PhD students. Dr Aneeqa Khan is the Manchester Fusion fellow with received in-kind supports from UKAEA.
Collaborator Contribution Joint research on plasma-materials interaction and structural Integrity assessment of joints for nuclear fusion. Dr Aneeqa Khan visits CCFE on a regular basis to support CCFE's research activities and the using of large facilities at Diamond Light Source and ISIS Neutron Source. Co-supervision of two PhD students. Offer UKAEA relevant staff to attend and present at the Manchester's fusion seminar.
Impact Various conference contributions. University of Manchester has funded two PhD students working on nuclear fusion related research topics. Trained students - with career destinations in nuclear industry (fusion and fission) and other disciplines.
Start Year 2018
 
Description CCFE - University of Manchester fusion collaboration 
Organisation University of Manchester
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Joint research on fusion science (plasma, materials and data management) and materials technology. Co-supervision of many students including projects at CCFE (PhD, masters, undergraduate)
Collaborator Contribution Joint research on fusion science (plasma, materials and data management) and materials technology. Co-supervision of many students at both Manchester and CCFE.
Impact Various journal papers and conference contributions. Trained students - with career destinations in fusion and other disciplines
 
Description CCFE - University of Oxford fusion collaboration 
Organisation University of Oxford
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Theory, modelling and experiments on fusion materials. Modelling of fusion plasma physics (e.g. plasma turbulence). Co-supervision of DPhil students and post-docs (on materials science and engineering, plasma theory & modelling, computer algorithms) with projects at both CCFE and Oxford. Provision of facilities for experiments by Oxford students.
Collaborator Contribution Wide-ranging experiments on fusion materials plus some modelling (both materials science and materials engineering). Theory & modelling of fusion plasma physics (especially plasma turbulence) including comparison with experimental data. Co-supervision of DPhil students and post-docs (on materials science and engineering, plasma theory & modelling, computer algorithms) with projects at both CCFE and Oxford.
Impact Many journal papers and conference contributions. Many students have gone onto successful careers in fusion and other disciplines
 
Description CCFE - University of Sheffield fusion collaboration 
Organisation University of Sheffield
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Joint research on fusion materials technology including fusion blanket systems. Supervision of PhD students including projects at CCFE. Support for fusion technology professor at Sheffield.
Collaborator Contribution Joint research on fusion materials technology including fusion blanket systems. Supervision of PhD students including projects at CCFE. Chair in fusion technology.
Impact Various journal papers and conference contributions. Trained students - with career destinations in fusion and other disciplines
Start Year 2010
 
Description CCFE - University of Strathclyde fusion collaboration 
Organisation University of Strathclyde
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Joint research on fusion plasmas, atomic data for use in fusion plasma measurement instruments, and materials technology. Co-supervision of PhD students including projects at CCFE.
Collaborator Contribution Joint research on fusion plasmas, atomic data for use in fusion plasma measurement instruments, and materials technology. Co-supervision of PhD students including projects at CCFE. Staff placement at CCFE.
Impact Various journal papers and conference contributions. Trained students - with career destinations in fusion and other disciplines
 
Description CCFE - University of Surrey fusion collaboration 
Organisation University of Surrey
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Joint research on micromechanics and multiscale residual stress characterization of joints for fusion components. Co-supervision of two PhD students and two BEng/MEng projects and provides in-kind contributions for these projects.
Collaborator Contribution Joint research on micromechanics and multiscale residual stress characterization of joints for fusion components. Co-supervision of two PhD students.
Impact Two journal papers (one has been published and another one is under review at Acta Materialia) and three conference contributions. University of Surrey has funded two PhD students working on multi-scale residual stress characterization of joints. Together we have been awarded two beamtimes at the ISIS Neutron Source and prepared one EPSRC grant proposal on residual stress and microstructural evaluation of joints for nuclear fusion. Trained students - with career destinations in nuclear industry (fusion and fission) and other disciplines.
Start Year 2018
 
Description CCFE - University of Surrey fusion collaboration 
Organisation University of Surrey
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Research and students (PhD and undergraduate, some projects at CCFE) on instrumentation, especially for tritium monitoring
Collaborator Contribution Research and students (PhD and undergraduate, some projects at CCFE) on instrumentation, especially for tritium monitoring
Impact Main output is trained students
Start Year 2010
 
Description CCFE - University of Swansea fusion collaboration 
Organisation Swansea University
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Joint research on digital engineering, in particular use of measurements of material structure in engineering simulations.
Collaborator Contribution Joint research on digital engineering, in particular use of measurements of material structure in engineering simulations.
Impact No impact yet
Start Year 2017
 
Description CCFE - University of Warwick fusion collaboration 
Organisation University of Warwick
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Joint research on fusion plasma physics (theory and modelling, and interpretation of experimental data). Senior member of staff is a visiting professor and co-Director of Warwick's Centre for Fusion, Space and Astrophysics. Co-supervision of many PhD students including projects at CCFE.
Collaborator Contribution Joint research on fusion plasma physics (theory and modelling, and interpretation of experimental data). Co-supervision of many PhD students including projects at CCFE.
Impact Various journal papers and conference contributions. Trained students - with career destinations in fusion and other disciplines.
 
Description CCFE - University of York fusion collaboration 
Organisation University of York
Department York Plasma Institute
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Joint research on many, wide ranging topics in fusion plasma physics (experiments, theory and modelling). Co-supervision of many York students including projects at both York and CCFE (PhD and masters). Lecturing to York Masters and PhD courses.
Collaborator Contribution Joint research on many, wide ranging topics in fusion plasma physics (experiments, theory and modelling). Co-supervision of many York students including projects at both York and CCFE (PhD and masters). Student training in fusion, not only for York but for other universities' students. Senior York academics have spent significant periods of time at CCFE on joint research.
Impact Many journal papers and conference contributions. Many students have gone onto successful careers in fusion and other highly skilled disciplines
 
Description CCFE Participation in fusion-relevant IAEA collaborations 
Organisation International Atomic Energy Agency
Country Austria 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution Participation in IAEA CRPs (Co-ordinated Research Projects) and other initiatives on various fusion-relevant topics, e.g. dust in plasmas, nuclear and atomic data, irradiation experiments (SMORE-II project), irradiation morelling, etc.
Collaborator Contribution Various IAEA CRPs provide a forum for collaboration plus T&S funding
Impact Various journal publications and other output
 
Description CCFE- Loughborough University -Embedded Fibre Bragg gratings 
Organisation Loughborough University
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Joint research on in situ structural health monitoring of fusion components in radiative environment.
Collaborator Contribution Joint research on in situ structural health monitoring of fusion components in radiative environment.
Impact New method that can be used to progress fusion and other sectors. Various journal papers and conference contributions
Start Year 2019
 
Description CCFE- NAMRC - Hot Isostatic Pressed joint of dissimilar materials 
Organisation Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution Joint research on joining process for dissimilar materials, materials testing and comparison with conventional techniques.
Collaborator Contribution Joint research on joining process for dissimilar materials, materials testing and comparison with conventional techniques.
Impact New method that can be used to progress fusion and other sectors. Various journal papers and conference contributions
Start Year 2020
 
Description CCFE- NCC - Fusion composite demonstrator 
Organisation National Composites Centre (NCC)
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution Joint research on application of composites for fusion
Collaborator Contribution Joint research on application of composites for fusion. Manufacture of the demonstrator
Impact New method that can be used to progress fusion and other sectors. Various journal papers and conference contributions
Start Year 2019
 
Description CCFE- Oxford Lasers - Heriot Watt - Laser welding Glass to Steel 
Organisation Oxford Lasers Ltd
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution Joint research on using laser welding method to join fusion relevant materials to create functional structures.
Collaborator Contribution Joint research on using laser welding method to join fusion relevant materials to create functional structures. The performance of the welding.
Impact New method that can be used to progress fusion and other sectors. Various journal papers and conference contributions
Start Year 2020
 
Description CCFE- TWI - Linear friction welding of tungsten 
Organisation TWI The Welding Institue
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution Joint research on using linear friction welding on a fusion relevant material.
Collaborator Contribution Joint research on using linear friction welding on a fusion relevant material.
Impact New method that can be used to progress fusion and other sectors. Various journal papers and conference contributions
Start Year 2019
 
Description CCFE-LANL collaboration on nuclear materials 
Organisation Los Alamos National Laboratory
Country United States 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution Materials modelling - both radiation damage (and how microscopic phenomena manifest themselves on macroscopic scales) and high entropy alloys for nuclear applications including fusion.
Collaborator Contribution Materials modelling -of nuclear materials, plus related experiments
Impact Journal publications, identification of a promising quaternary high entropy alloy for nuclear applications
Start Year 2017
 
Description Change in fundamental properties of W and W-alloys under fusion transmutation 
Organisation Villanova University
Country United States 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Ab-initio calculations to explore the variation in fundamental properties (included elastic properties) of W and W-alloys to the transmutation-induced composition changes caused under neutron irradiation.
Collaborator Contribution CCFE providing theoretical and modelling support to computational work at Villanova
Impact Collaboration is still active
Start Year 2020
 
Description Consultancy and collaboration on neutron spectrometry systems for dosimetry applications at a Berkshire-based defence establishment 
Organisation Atomic Weapons Establishment
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution Collaborative R&D in relation to the development, characterization and testing of a novel passive neutron spectrometer. Validation data sets were generated at the National Physical Laboratory's Neutron Metrology facility have been used to compare with the determined energy spectra and neutron fluence results. Computational neutronics and comparisons using the UKAEA unfolding code, SPECTRA-UF, have been applied to PNS measurements made some operational facility fields.
Collaborator Contribution Provision of spectrometry and experimental data.
Impact Various commercial reports. Publication on the SPECTRA-UF code in a peer-reviewed journal
Start Year 2017
 
Description EUROfusion Grant Agreement 
Organisation EUROfusion
Country European Union (EU) 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution Contributions to multiple work packages with many EU Beneficiaries. The annual income is ~€13M per year
Collaborator Contribution See above
Impact Please see publications list
Start Year 2014
 
Description Edwards - UKAEA 
Organisation Edwards
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution Expertise on tritium compatibility requirements for potential new pumps. Laboratory space and staff to carry out testing, including testing with radioactive materials of any promising prototypes. Decommissioning of liabilities generated by testing with radioactive materials
Collaborator Contribution R&D and prototyping of new pump variants at Edwards vacuum new R&D HQ in Burgess Hill
Impact Several potential options for tritium compatible pumps have been ruled out by testing. Several promising candidates remain to be tested further.
Start Year 2016
 
Description Exploring the Synergy in Pedestal and Divertor Physics in MAST-U 
Organisation University of Texas at Austin
Country United States 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution 1) Simulation of pedestal physics/ transport using a suite of codes headed by the gyrokinetic code GENE, 2) investigating the effect of the divertor configuration on pedestal characteristics (energy confinement, pedestal temperature etc.) in dedicated experiments. The latter will involve both the long legged divertor configuration Super-X divertor (SXD), and the relatively short legged X-divertor (XD) that exploits flaring the field lines to accomplish the twin goals of enhanced heat handling and a stable detached operation.
Collaborator Contribution See above
Impact Ongoing
Start Year 2018
 
Description Fast-ion Diagnostics and Physics at MAST-Upgrade 
Organisation University of California, Irvine
Country United States 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Provide support installing diagnostics and experimental time on MAST Upgrade
Collaborator Contribution (1) Supply and operate a solid-state neutral particle analyzer (SSNPA) array. (2) Advise on fast-ion D-alpha (FIDA) diagnostics. (3) Infer the distribution function from fast-ion data using orbit tomography. (4) Participate in MAST-U fast-ion experiments.
Impact Ongoing
Start Year 2018
 
Description First Light Fusion - neutronics 
Organisation First Light Fusion Ltd
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution Advice and collaborative scientific studies in relation to the prediction of nuclear phenomena in association with fusion technologies; advice on the design and optimization of experimental configurations and diagnostics were provided.
Collaborator Contribution Inputs to modelling assumptions and experimental configurations.
Impact Various commercial reports
Start Year 2018
 
Description IAEA Coordinated Research Project: Hydrogen Permeation in Fusion-Relevant Materials (F43025) 
Organisation International Atomic Energy Agency
Country Austria 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution Attendance and presentation at First Research Coordination Meeting (23-27 Nov 2020)
Collaborator Contribution Presentations at First Research Coordination Meeting. Availably of neutron-irradiated samples for permeation and retention experiments from SCK-CEN, Belgium.
Impact Development of plans to test and analyse neutron-irradiated samples at UKAEA. Access to experimental data to help develop and validate new transport phenomena models.
Start Year 2020
 
Description Imperial College London - UKAEA 
Organisation Imperial College London
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution H3AT supplied supervision to students from Imperial College
Collaborator Contribution Provision of students for year-long placements at UKAEA
Impact Contributions to research at UKAEA; student experience; UKAEA recruitment
Start Year 2014
 
Description KIT - Graduate placement 
Organisation Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
Country Germany 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution H3AT supplied placement opportunities for a KIT graduate
Collaborator Contribution Provision of graduate for year-long placements at UKAEA
Impact Contributions to research at UKAEA; student experience; UKAEA recruitment
Start Year 2019
 
Description MOD DESG Scheme 
Organisation Ministry of Defence (MOD)
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution H3AT supplied placement opportunities for MOD graduates
Collaborator Contribution Provision of gradates for six-month placements at UKAEA
Impact Contributions to research at UKAEA; student experience; UKAEA recruitment
Start Year 2014
 
Description Multi-Organisation collaboration on Zr alloys for fusion technology 
Organisation Jacobs Engineering Group
Country United States 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution Joint collaboration initiated and led by CCFE, including University of Manchester, University of Birmingham, Rolls Royce, Jacobs. Projected assessed suitability of commercial Zr alloys for fusion and avenues for Zr alloy development for the specific fusion environment. CCFE directed project and submitted a manuscript for publication on outcomes.
Collaborator Contribution Literature and commercial surveys for Zr alloy performance in the fusion environment, Zr alloy availability and manufacturability.
Impact CCFE internal reports and a journal. Developed links with academic and industrial partners for future proposals/PhDs in Zr for fusion, especially via MIDAS programme.
Start Year 2019
 
Description Multi-Organisation collaboration on Zr alloys for fusion technology 
Organisation Rolls Royce Group Plc
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution Joint collaboration initiated and led by CCFE, including University of Manchester, University of Birmingham, Rolls Royce, Jacobs. Projected assessed suitability of commercial Zr alloys for fusion and avenues for Zr alloy development for the specific fusion environment. CCFE directed project and submitted a manuscript for publication on outcomes.
Collaborator Contribution Literature and commercial surveys for Zr alloy performance in the fusion environment, Zr alloy availability and manufacturability.
Impact CCFE internal reports and a journal. Developed links with academic and industrial partners for future proposals/PhDs in Zr for fusion, especially via MIDAS programme.
Start Year 2019
 
Description Multi-Organisation collaboration on Zr alloys for fusion technology 
Organisation University of Birmingham
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Joint collaboration initiated and led by CCFE, including University of Manchester, University of Birmingham, Rolls Royce, Jacobs. Projected assessed suitability of commercial Zr alloys for fusion and avenues for Zr alloy development for the specific fusion environment. CCFE directed project and submitted a manuscript for publication on outcomes.
Collaborator Contribution Literature and commercial surveys for Zr alloy performance in the fusion environment, Zr alloy availability and manufacturability.
Impact CCFE internal reports and a journal. Developed links with academic and industrial partners for future proposals/PhDs in Zr for fusion, especially via MIDAS programme.
Start Year 2019
 
Description Multi-Organisation collaboration on Zr alloys for fusion technology 
Organisation University of Manchester
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Joint collaboration initiated and led by CCFE, including University of Manchester, University of Birmingham, Rolls Royce, Jacobs. Projected assessed suitability of commercial Zr alloys for fusion and avenues for Zr alloy development for the specific fusion environment. CCFE directed project and submitted a manuscript for publication on outcomes.
Collaborator Contribution Literature and commercial surveys for Zr alloy performance in the fusion environment, Zr alloy availability and manufacturability.
Impact CCFE internal reports and a journal. Developed links with academic and industrial partners for future proposals/PhDs in Zr for fusion, especially via MIDAS programme.
Start Year 2019
 
Description Nuclear Graduate Scheme 
Organisation Nuclear Decommissioning Authority NDA
Department Nuclear Graduates Scheme
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution H3AT supplied placement opportunities for graduates on the UK Nuclear Graduate Scheme
Collaborator Contribution Provision of graduate for six-month placements at UKAEA
Impact Contributions to research at UKAEA; student experience; UKAEA recruitment
Start Year 2014
 
Description Oxidation of irradiated materials in fusion accident scenarios 
Organisation University of California
Country United States 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution This project is part of a Lancaster-FZJ-CCFE-UCLA project to understand W and W advanced alloys. This part of the project uses UCLA modelling experience to support a PhD project through CCFE at Lancaster.
Collaborator Contribution Providing theoretical and modelling support
Impact Collaboration is still active
Start Year 2020
 
Description Pedestal & Performance Optimization on MAST-U 
Organisation General Atomics
Country United States 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution As part of existing theory support, the GA Theory group is developing a new version of the EPED pedestal model, which extends its applicability to low aspect ratio devices. This new model would be tested against MAST-U data, with GA scientists working in close coordination with MAST-U staff. When the model is sufficiently mature, a large database would be developed from EPED studies in the MAST-U parameter regime for use in training a neural net to enable very efficient access to a good approximation of EPED predictions for use in experimental planning and control room analysis, as has already been achieved on DIII-D. As a tight aspect ratio device, MAST-U provides an excellent platform for validating transport models in high betap regimes. The high betap regime on DIII-D has several transport features that are similar to those of MAST-U, including high safety factor, dominant neoclassical ion thermal transport, and strong electron transport from electron temperature gradient modes. These similarities would be exploited to validate the TGLF quasilinear transport model with the new multi-scale saturation model, SAT1. Preliminary validation of this model with DIII-D high betap discharges indicates that the model is missing a dependence on safety factor, aspect ratio, or poloidal magnetic field fraction. Gyrokinetic turbulence simulations with the new CGYRO code would be undertaken to test these dependencies. Flux tube gyrokinetic simulations of MAST-U and DIII-D high betap discharges that compare the linear mode spectra and nonlinear saturation would also be undertaken. Experimental evidence shows that the empirical scaling of energy confinement, which was fit to low betap discharges, significantly under-predicts the energy confinement time at high betap. A predictive understanding of this may lead to a more attractive steady state tokamak reactor optimization point with a higher bootstrap current than is found using the empirical scaling laws. GA would leverage its expertise in the edge localized mode (ELM)-free Quiescent high confinement mode (QH-mode) of tokamak operation through on-site visits, during which GA scientists would pursue access to this regime in MAST-U. The divertor configuration in MAST-U should allow for excellent control of the plasma density, which may facilitate QH-mode access. Successful realization of QH-mode in MAST-U would allow validation of the critical rotation shear needed to sustain the edge-harmonic oscillation or broad-band magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) fluctuations, and allow quantification of the transport enhancements found at small aspect ratio. To support these studies, the OMFIT integrated workflow manager framework would be expanded to allow interfacing of MAST-U data with a wide suite of analysis and modeling codes, facilitating pedestal studies, kinetic equilibrium reconstructions, transport tests, and the integrated scenario design for MAST-U. Part of this development would include working with MAST-U to improve frameworks and techniques for ITER, including compatibility with the ITER Integrated Modeling and Analysis Suite.
Collaborator Contribution See above
Impact Ongoing
Start Year 2018
 
Description Plasma Breakdown modelling 
Organisation Princeton University
Department Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory
Country United States 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Installation of PPPL software to study plasma breakdown and ramp up scenarios in MAST-U Participations of PPPL staff in the studies and the experimental programme to optimise plasma performance on MAST-U.
Collaborator Contribution Installation of PPPL software to study plasma breakdown and ramp up scenarios in MAST-U Participations of PPPL staff in the studies and the experimental programme to optimise plasma performance on MAST-U.
Impact Ongoing
Start Year 2018
 
Description SEPNet 
Organisation South East Physics Network
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution H3AT supplied supervision - both theoretical and practical to students from the South East Physics Network
Collaborator Contribution Provision of quality students for summer placements at UKAEA
Impact Contributions to research at UKAEA; student experience; UKAEA recruitment
Start Year 2014
 
Description Scrape-off layer stability, turbulence and transport in MAST-U 
Organisation Lodestar Research Corporation
Country United States 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution Intense scrape-off layer (SOL) exhaust power fluxes expected in MAST-U, ITER and future devices necessitate a deeper understanding of how SOL cross-field turbulent transport in the main chamber and divertor leg regions impacts the heat flux, as well as the plasma profiles, density recycling and other related issues. The goal of this research is to support MAST-U experiments and diagnostic in these areas by interpretation of profile and fluctuation data in the main chamber SOL and divertor regions and by modeling of filamentary structures, and the resulting turbulence and transport.
Collaborator Contribution See above
Impact Ongoing
Start Year 2018
 
Description Spherical Tokamak Power Exhaust and Particle Control Studies Utilizing Bolometry measurements 
Organisation Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Country United States 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution A multi-disciplinary team from ORNL will support the MAST-U program in several ways, allowing us to contribute and in many cases lead boundary physics experiments on a non-US device to investigate the ST challenges outlined above. This access is enabled by providing a range of Diagnostic and Technology (D&T) capabilities that are listed as needs in the MAST-U Research Plan and contributions that are strongly supported as shown through a detailed Record of Discussion with MAST-U leadership. This will not only allow exhaust physics to be studied at higher field and current than in prior STs, but also enable the comparison of conventional and alternative divertor concepts in a single platform. A baffled, pumped divertor with significant total flux expansion, the so-called Super-X divertor, is proposed as a favorable means to dissipate power for all tokamaks, enabling this ST research to benefit the tokamak community as whole. The ORNL team has a demonstrated record of achievement in the area of ST boundary physics and core fueling as well as a prior history of collaboration with the MAST team at CCFE. We will design, build and operate bolometry and IR thermography tools to support power balance and heat exhaust experiments.
Collaborator Contribution See above
Impact Ongoing
Start Year 2018
 
Description Stability Research for Disruption Prediction and Avoidance in MAST-U Spherical Tokamak Plasmas 
Organisation Columbia University
Country United States 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution This proposal is a concentrated, coordinated experimental and physics analysis research program to be conducted by a small collaborative U.S. team with extensive experience in the unique aspects and challenges of the equilibrium reconstruction and stability analysis of high performance spherical tokamak plasmas. The overall goal of the proposed research is to produce world-class analysis regarding forecasting and avoidance of disruptions by leveraging the physics understanding provided by the MAST/-U spherical torus plasmas over a wide range of plasma parameters including beta (the ratio of plasma stored energy to magnetic field energy) with direct, quantifiable figures of merit (i.e. disruptivity). This will be made possible by several stability physics analyses, using codes and control algorithms either written by or available to the PI and proposal researchers (including the new Disruption Event Characterization And Forecasting code (DECAF), MISK, ideal DCON, resistive DCON, M3D-C1, TRANSP, and VALEN. Dedicated experiments will also be proposed and conducted on MAST-U for these studies. MAST/-U will challenge our existing models for disruption characterization and forecasting, yielding improved physics understanding and modeling to ensure the greatest success of a unified disruption forecasting algorithm needed for ITER and future devices.
Collaborator Contribution See above
Impact Ongoing
Start Year 2018
 
Description Standard and advanced magnetic divertor configuration studies on MAST-U tokamak 
Organisation Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
Country United States 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution 1. Support MAST-U Objective 1 on development of novel exhaust concepts o Contribute to Super-X, snowflake and standard divertor physics studies and comparisons via measurements, analysis and modeling of power and momentum balances during attached and detached phases between and during ELMs 2. Support MAST-U Objective 2 on contribution to the knowledge base for ITER o Contribute to divertor detachment physics studies via measurements, analysis and modeling of impurity radiation and volumetric recombination distributions, impurity ionization balance, divertor electron temperatures and densities, radiation and recombination front dynamics between and during ELMs 3. Support MAST-U Objective 3 on feasibility assessment of the spherical tokamak as a fusion Component Test Facility o Contribute to model validation and experiment based understanding of divertor transport and radiation in spherical tokamak geometry with emphasis on spherical tokamak physics effects, and advanced divertor configurations
Collaborator Contribution See above
Impact Ongoing
Start Year 2018
 
Description Study of particle transport due to the application of 3D fields 
Organisation University of Wisconsin-Madison
Country United States 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Installation of penning gauge on MAST-U to allow measurement of D and He form the main plasma due to the application of resonant magnetic perturbations
Collaborator Contribution See above
Impact Ongoing
Start Year 2018
 
Description Synergetic research between fusion reactors and high-power particle accelerators communities towards better understanding and prediction of the radiation response of structural and functional materials with mutual interest. 
Organisation Culham Centre for Fusion Energy
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Contribution into post-exposure examination and analytical investigations of samples after proton irradiation and thermal chock experiments.
Collaborator Contribution Organization on irradiation and high-energy protons exposure campaigns. Financial support of post-irradiation examination
Impact Increased collaboration with particle accelerators community (RAL, Fermilab, CERN, ESS, KEK). Publications in scientific journals. Further plans for collaborative research in the areas of radiation damage of materials of mutual interest like tungsten and beryllium.
Start Year 2018
 
Description TORONE - TOtal characterisation for Remote Observation in Nuclear Environments 
Organisation Manchester University
Country United States 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Collaboration is with Manchester and Lancaster UKAEA have hosted visits for university researchers to see Culham facilities and discuss the project. Preparatory work involving MAST-U installation planning and the ADRIANA radiometric laboratory is ongoing. We are ultimately expecting to support participants in performing tests of radiation sensors (diamond detectors and robotics) in a MAST-U neutron environment towards the end of 2019, in line with MAST-U operations.
Collaborator Contribution See above
Impact Still ongoing
Start Year 2017
 
Description Tritium Retention in Controlled and Evolving Microstructure (TRiCEM) 
Organisation CEA Saclay
Country France 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution Project lead, matched funding contribution for resources and hardware. Expertise to design, build and operate experimental systems and laboratory space. Expertise in materials modelling and access to clusters for modelling work to model damage creation in materials and model the trapping behaviour of radiation induced traps.
Collaborator Contribution SRMP CEA Saclay - SEM and TEM analysis, expertise in interpretation of results CEMHTI/CNRS - PAS analysis and expertise in understanding vacancies in irradiated materials University of Oxford - sample preparation and annealing using Oxford materials vacuum furnace VTT - SIMS analysis and expertise in interpretation of results University of Helsinki - heavy ion irradiation of materials samples Forschungzentrum Julich - TDS analysis University of Lille - modelling of trapping behaviour UMET - supercomputer access for DFT calculations
Impact New models for damage creation by irradiation. New models for simulation of radiation induced trap behaviour. New experimental results investigating retention and release of hydrogen isotopes from irradiated fusion relevant materials.
Start Year 2015
 
Description Tritium Retention in Controlled and Evolving Microstructure (TRiCEM) 
Organisation Julich Research Centre
Country Germany 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Project lead, matched funding contribution for resources and hardware. Expertise to design, build and operate experimental systems and laboratory space. Expertise in materials modelling and access to clusters for modelling work to model damage creation in materials and model the trapping behaviour of radiation induced traps.
Collaborator Contribution SRMP CEA Saclay - SEM and TEM analysis, expertise in interpretation of results CEMHTI/CNRS - PAS analysis and expertise in understanding vacancies in irradiated materials University of Oxford - sample preparation and annealing using Oxford materials vacuum furnace VTT - SIMS analysis and expertise in interpretation of results University of Helsinki - heavy ion irradiation of materials samples Forschungzentrum Julich - TDS analysis University of Lille - modelling of trapping behaviour UMET - supercomputer access for DFT calculations
Impact New models for damage creation by irradiation. New models for simulation of radiation induced trap behaviour. New experimental results investigating retention and release of hydrogen isotopes from irradiated fusion relevant materials.
Start Year 2015
 
Description Tritium Retention in Controlled and Evolving Microstructure (TRiCEM) 
Organisation National Center for Scientific Research (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique CNRS)
Country France 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Project lead, matched funding contribution for resources and hardware. Expertise to design, build and operate experimental systems and laboratory space. Expertise in materials modelling and access to clusters for modelling work to model damage creation in materials and model the trapping behaviour of radiation induced traps.
Collaborator Contribution SRMP CEA Saclay - SEM and TEM analysis, expertise in interpretation of results CEMHTI/CNRS - PAS analysis and expertise in understanding vacancies in irradiated materials University of Oxford - sample preparation and annealing using Oxford materials vacuum furnace VTT - SIMS analysis and expertise in interpretation of results University of Helsinki - heavy ion irradiation of materials samples Forschungzentrum Julich - TDS analysis University of Lille - modelling of trapping behaviour UMET - supercomputer access for DFT calculations
Impact New models for damage creation by irradiation. New models for simulation of radiation induced trap behaviour. New experimental results investigating retention and release of hydrogen isotopes from irradiated fusion relevant materials.
Start Year 2015
 
Description Tritium Retention in Controlled and Evolving Microstructure (TRiCEM) 
Organisation University of Helsinki
Country Finland 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Project lead, matched funding contribution for resources and hardware. Expertise to design, build and operate experimental systems and laboratory space. Expertise in materials modelling and access to clusters for modelling work to model damage creation in materials and model the trapping behaviour of radiation induced traps.
Collaborator Contribution SRMP CEA Saclay - SEM and TEM analysis, expertise in interpretation of results CEMHTI/CNRS - PAS analysis and expertise in understanding vacancies in irradiated materials University of Oxford - sample preparation and annealing using Oxford materials vacuum furnace VTT - SIMS analysis and expertise in interpretation of results University of Helsinki - heavy ion irradiation of materials samples Forschungzentrum Julich - TDS analysis University of Lille - modelling of trapping behaviour UMET - supercomputer access for DFT calculations
Impact New models for damage creation by irradiation. New models for simulation of radiation induced trap behaviour. New experimental results investigating retention and release of hydrogen isotopes from irradiated fusion relevant materials.
Start Year 2015
 
Description Tritium Retention in Controlled and Evolving Microstructure (TRiCEM) 
Organisation University of Lille
Country France 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Project lead, matched funding contribution for resources and hardware. Expertise to design, build and operate experimental systems and laboratory space. Expertise in materials modelling and access to clusters for modelling work to model damage creation in materials and model the trapping behaviour of radiation induced traps.
Collaborator Contribution SRMP CEA Saclay - SEM and TEM analysis, expertise in interpretation of results CEMHTI/CNRS - PAS analysis and expertise in understanding vacancies in irradiated materials University of Oxford - sample preparation and annealing using Oxford materials vacuum furnace VTT - SIMS analysis and expertise in interpretation of results University of Helsinki - heavy ion irradiation of materials samples Forschungzentrum Julich - TDS analysis University of Lille - modelling of trapping behaviour UMET - supercomputer access for DFT calculations
Impact New models for damage creation by irradiation. New models for simulation of radiation induced trap behaviour. New experimental results investigating retention and release of hydrogen isotopes from irradiated fusion relevant materials.
Start Year 2015
 
Description Tritium Retention in Controlled and Evolving Microstructure (TRiCEM) 
Organisation University of Oxford
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Project lead, matched funding contribution for resources and hardware. Expertise to design, build and operate experimental systems and laboratory space. Expertise in materials modelling and access to clusters for modelling work to model damage creation in materials and model the trapping behaviour of radiation induced traps.
Collaborator Contribution SRMP CEA Saclay - SEM and TEM analysis, expertise in interpretation of results CEMHTI/CNRS - PAS analysis and expertise in understanding vacancies in irradiated materials University of Oxford - sample preparation and annealing using Oxford materials vacuum furnace VTT - SIMS analysis and expertise in interpretation of results University of Helsinki - heavy ion irradiation of materials samples Forschungzentrum Julich - TDS analysis University of Lille - modelling of trapping behaviour UMET - supercomputer access for DFT calculations
Impact New models for damage creation by irradiation. New models for simulation of radiation induced trap behaviour. New experimental results investigating retention and release of hydrogen isotopes from irradiated fusion relevant materials.
Start Year 2015
 
Description Tritium Retention in Controlled and Evolving Microstructure (TRiCEM) 
Organisation VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd
Department Matej Oresic VTT
Country Finland 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Project lead, matched funding contribution for resources and hardware. Expertise to design, build and operate experimental systems and laboratory space. Expertise in materials modelling and access to clusters for modelling work to model damage creation in materials and model the trapping behaviour of radiation induced traps.
Collaborator Contribution SRMP CEA Saclay - SEM and TEM analysis, expertise in interpretation of results CEMHTI/CNRS - PAS analysis and expertise in understanding vacancies in irradiated materials University of Oxford - sample preparation and annealing using Oxford materials vacuum furnace VTT - SIMS analysis and expertise in interpretation of results University of Helsinki - heavy ion irradiation of materials samples Forschungzentrum Julich - TDS analysis University of Lille - modelling of trapping behaviour UMET - supercomputer access for DFT calculations
Impact New models for damage creation by irradiation. New models for simulation of radiation induced trap behaviour. New experimental results investigating retention and release of hydrogen isotopes from irradiated fusion relevant materials.
Start Year 2015
 
Description Turbulence and transport science on MAST-U: Magnetic and density turbulence, turbulence flow, GAMs, and zonal flows 
Organisation University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Country United States 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution UCLA proposes to install and operate (on the MAST-U spherical tokamak) an eight-channel Doppler backscattering system (measures ñ and flow) and an eight-channel cross-polarization scattering system (measures local B ~). These systems will be utilized to perform multi-field (ñ and B ~) and multi-scale (large wavenumber range) turbulence and transport physics experiments on MAST-U. A research focus will be on the existence, parametric dependence, and effect on transport of electromagnetic turbulence especially at higher plasma beta. A closely associated goal will be testing of linear and non-linear gyrokinetic simulations and predictions. Close collaboration and visits by senior UCLA research staff in conjunction with an on-site UCLA post-doctoral scholar will advance these goals.
Collaborator Contribution See above
Impact Ongoing
Start Year 2018
 
Description UKAEA (AMT) - National Nuclear Laboratory collaboration 
Organisation National Nuclear Laboratory
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution Joint research on small specimen testing techniques (SSTT) to obtain material properties of fusion and fission relevant materials including interpretation of experimental data. Co-supervision of a PhD student investigating SSTT.
Collaborator Contribution Joint research on SSTT to obtain material properties of fusion and fission relevant materials. Co-supervision of a PhD student investigating SSTT.
Impact Various journal papers and conference contributions.
Start Year 2016
 
Description UKAEA collaboration with NCBJ Poland on irradiating material in the MARIA reactor 
Organisation National Centre for Nuclear Research
Country Poland 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution Memorandum of Understanding signed to enable neutron irradiations for UK nuclear researchers in the MARIA reactor in Poland
Collaborator Contribution Memorandum of Understanding signed to enable neutron irradiations for UK nuclear researchers in the MARIA reactor in Poland
Impact Memorandum of Understanding signed
Start Year 2018
 
Description University of Bath - UKAEA 
Organisation University of Bath
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution H3AT supplied supervision to undergraduate students at the University of Bath
Collaborator Contribution Provision of students able to work on UKAEA relevant projects
Impact Contributions to research at UKAEA; student experience; UKAEA recruitment
Start Year 2018
 
Description University of Bath- UKAEA PhD project on Pressure swing absorption for hydrogen isotope separation - materials characterization and preliminary trials 
Organisation University of Bath
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution University of Bath- UKAEA PhD project on Pressure swing absorption for hydrogen isotope separation - materials characterization and preliminary trials
Collaborator Contribution £45000
Impact Identification of candidate materials for a novel hydrogen isotope separation system for deployment in future fusion reactors such as DEMO and STEP
Start Year 2020
 
Description University of Bristol - UKAEA 
Organisation University of Bristol
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Hardware and resource funding and laboratory space for a system to support radioactive diamond growth using a Plasma Deposition Reactor.
Collaborator Contribution Hardware and resource funding to build a Plasma Deposition Reactor
Impact Production of the world first diamond battery
Start Year 2020
 
Description University of Bristol - UKAEA 
Organisation University of Bristol
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution H3AT supplied PhD supervision to students at the University of Bristol
Collaborator Contribution Provision of students able to work on UKAEA relevant projects
Impact Contributions to research at UKAEA; student experience; UKAEA recruitment
Start Year 2016
 
Description University of Cambridge - UKAEA 
Organisation University of Cambridge
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution H3AT supplied supervision of students from the University of Cambridge
Collaborator Contribution Provision of students for placements at UKAEA
Impact Contributions to research at UKAEA; student experience; UKAEA recruitment
Start Year 2016
 
Description University of Loughborough - UKAEA 
Organisation Loughborough University
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution H3AT supplied supervision to a student from the University of Loughborough
Collaborator Contribution Provision of quality students for year-long placements at UKAEA
Impact Contributions to research at UKAEA; student experience; UKAEA recruitment
Start Year 2018
 
Description University of Manchester - UKAEA 
Organisation University of Manchester
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution H3AT supplied supervision a student from the University of Manchester
Collaborator Contribution Provision of students for placements at UKAEA
Impact Contributions to research at UKAEA; student experience; UKAEA recruitment
Start Year 2017
 
Description University of Sheffield - UKAEA 
Organisation University of Sheffield
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Access to an ion exposure system and expert operators to perform experiments. TDS analysis of exposed samples.
Collaborator Contribution Breeder blanket ceramic samples and analysis of TDS data
Impact Understanding of the effect of helium on deuterium (tritium) diffusion in the breeder blanket candidate material Li2TiO3
Start Year 2020
 
Description University of Surrey - UKAEA 
Organisation University of Surrey
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution H3AT supplied supervision - both theoretical and practical to students from the Surrey University
Collaborator Contribution Provision of quality students for year-long placements at UKAEA
Impact Contributions to research at UKAEA; student experience; UKAEA recruitment
Start Year 2014
 
Title FISPACT-II 
Description Latest version of this code platform which provides comprehensive nuclear data for many applications - nuclear energy, accelerators, medical, etc. Available for free to UK universities and certain other organisations, for sale to others. 
Type Of Technology Software 
Year Produced 2017 
Impact Many applications in fusion, assessing systems for ITER and conceptual power stations (activation, dose, etc.) 
URL http://www.ccfe.ac.uk/fispact.aspx
 
Description ATOM Abingdon - Abingdon, March 2018 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Activity at local science event
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
 
Description ATOM Marketplace (March 2019, Abingdon) 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Activity display stand at local science event
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
 
Description ATOM Talk (February 2020, Abingdon) 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Debate presentation entitled "The $3m Transport Challenge" including Gary Staunton as part of the ATOM festival programme.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description ATOM Talk (March 2019, Abingdon) 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Presentation entitled "Fusion Power: The next Step" by Nick Walkden as part of the ATOM festival programme
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
 
Description British Science Festival (September 2019) 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Sun Dome Workshops ran across 9 sessions to cover 200 individuals.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
 
Description Culham open days for the public 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Undergraduate students
Results and Impact Open days at UKAEA Culham for members of the public to visit the fusion facilities. Typically two a year with 200 people visiting at each.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019,2020
URL http://www.ccfe.ac.uk/visits.aspx
 
Description Culham open days for the public 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Undergraduate students
Results and Impact Open days at UKAEA Culham for members of the public to visit the fusion facilities. Typically two a year with 200 people visiting at each
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017,2018
URL http://www.ccfe.ac.uk/visits.aspx
 
Description Culham open evenings for the public 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Open evenings for the general public to have a lecture on fusion and then tour the fusion facilities at UKAEA Culham. Typically ten a year with one hundred visitors each time
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017,2018,2019
URL http://www.ccfe.ac.uk/visits.aspx
 
Description Culham open evenings for the public in 2019 and 2020 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Open evenings for the general public to have a lecture on fusion and then tour the fusion facilities at UKAEA Culham. Typically ten a year with one hundred visitors each time.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019,2020
URL http://www.ccfe.ac.uk/visits.aspx
 
Description Culham virtual open evenings for the public (Nov 2020 to Mar 2021) 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Undergraduate students
Results and Impact Online virtual visit presentations for the general public to have an introductory talk on fusion and then a presentation showing the fusion facilities at UKAEA Culham. Typically one hundred visitors each time.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020,2021
URL http://www.ccfe.ac.uk/visits.aspx
 
Description Dendrite schools event at Duxford - June 2019 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact Exhibition stand at schools competition finals
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
 
Description EngFest - 2 April 2019 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Exhibition stand at national science festival
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
 
Description Event hosted for the NIA's new Fusion Business Group - July 2019 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Third sector organisations
Results and Impact Event hosted at Culham
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
 
Description Fusenet - Online Teacher CPD event (October 2020) 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Study participants or study members
Results and Impact Virtual presentation, alongside GOLEM and ITER, delivered to school teachers for continual professional development.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description IF Oxford ("Oxford Science & Ideas Festival") - Oxford, October 2018 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Display at regional science event for general public
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
 
Description IF Oxford ("Oxford Science & Ideas Festival") - Oxford, October 2019 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Undergraduate students
Results and Impact Display at regional science event for general public
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
 
Description IF Oxford - Film Screening (October 2019, Oxford) 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Screening of "Let There Be Light" with panel discussion.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
 
Description IF Oxford - Visits for Fusion Art Competition 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact A fusion art competition was linked with an IF Oxford presentation and two virtual visits were ran for adult winners and children winners.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description IF Oxford Online - Live virtual events (October 2020) 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Six presentations delivered live via online virtual platforms to an average of 100 per event
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description IF Oxford Online - Virtual Explorazone (October 2020) 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Online virtual activity display stand with downloadable resources and live-chat capability; our stand was attended by an estimated 180 virtual visitors.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description Institute of Physics - Teacher CPD Event (February 2020) 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact Visit by school teachers for continual professional development
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description New Scientist Live - London, October 2019 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Exhibition stand at national science festival
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
 
Description New Scientist Live - London, Sept 2017 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Exhibit at national science festival
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
 
Description New Scientist Live - London, September 2018 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Exhibit at national science festival
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
 
Description North Star (Autumn 2020) 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact Large online virtual event for Yorkshire schools to highlight STEM and manufacturing in the region, inclusive of a 5-week project working directly with a Sheffield school and talk by UKAEA graduate Leah Morgan.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description Ogden Trust - Online Teacher CPD Event (February 2021) 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Study participants or study members
Results and Impact Virtual presentation providing information on how to include fusion and UKAEA research in secondary and primary school cross-curriculum teaching for continual professional development.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
 
Description OxLEP Transformative Technologies Tour 2020 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact Visit by high-achieving students from local schools organized by OxLEP as part of a day visiting cutting-edge Oxfordshire STEM sites.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description Oxfordshire Science Festival - Oxford, July 2017 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Exhibit at regional science festival
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
 
Description Royal Institution Family Fun Day - London, October 2017 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Display at science event for families in London
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
 
Description Royal International Air Tattoo - RAF Fairford, July 2018 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Display at major technology festival
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
 
Description STFC Engineering Your Future (July 2019) 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact Activity display stand at STFC event on Harwell campus for local schools
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
 
Description STFC Engineering Your Future - Virtula (July 2020) 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact Participation in round-table discussion and delivered virtual visit.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description STFC Engineering your Future (July 2018) 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact Activity display stand at STFC event on Harwell campus for local schools
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
 
Description STFC Science in Your Future (March 2018) 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact Activity display stand at STFC event on Harwell campus for local schools
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
 
Description STFC Science in Your Future (March 2019) 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact Activity display stand at STFC event on Harwell campus for local schools
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
 
Description School & college visits to Culham (Apr 17 to Feb 19) - 95 schools and colleges, 1700 students 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact Visits by school and university groups (sometimes several a day) - e.g. A Level or undergraduate students studying, for example, physics
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017,2018,2019
URL http://www.ccfe.ac.uk/Visits.aspx
 
Description School and College virtual visits to UKAEA Culham (April 2020 to Mar 2021) - 25 Schools and colleges, 1400 students, 25 teachers 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact Online virtual visit presentations for school groups - e.g. GCSE, A Level, including international school groups
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020,2021
URL http://www.ccfe.ac.uk/Visits.aspx
 
Description Science Museum Lates - London, November 2018 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Evening event for adults at the Science Museum
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
 
Description Stanley Starr, Chief Scientist NASA, 8 March 2018 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Third sector organisations
Results and Impact Visit by senior international technologist
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
 
Description Tomorrow Science Festival (February 2020, Swindon) 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact Activity display stand at local science event
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description University student virtual visits to UKAEA Culham (Apr 2020 to Mar 2021) - 15 university groups, 350 university students, 15 lecturing staff 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Undergraduate students
Results and Impact Online virtual visit presentations for university groups - e.g. undergraduate physics courses, engineering courses, student societies.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020,2021
URL http://www.ccfe.ac.uk/Visits.aspx
 
Description University student visits to UKAEA Culham (Apr 2017 to Mar 2020) - 50 university groups, 900 university students, 75 lecturing staff 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Undergraduate students
Results and Impact Visits by university groups - e.g. undergraduate physics courses, engineering courses, student societies.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017,2018,2019,2020
URL http://www.ccfe.ac.uk/Visits.aspx
 
Description Visit by Agneta Rising, DG World Nuclear Assoc., 26 September 2017 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Visit by senior figure in world nuclear energy industry
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
 
Description Visit by Alex Chisholm, Permanent Secretary at BEIS, 28 July 2017 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Visit by the Perm Secretary of the department that owns and funds UKAEA-CCFE
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
 
Description Visit by Amanda Solloway MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy on 6 March 2020 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Visit by Amanda Solloway MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy on 6th March.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description Visit by Andy Storer, CEO of NAMRC, 14 Nov 2017 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Third sector organisations
Results and Impact Visit by senior figure in UK nuclear technology
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
 
Description Visit by Chris Skidmore MP, Minister of State for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation, 25 January 2019 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Visit by the science minister to explain our work and talk to staff
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
 
Description Visit by David Peattie, new CEO of Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, 15 September 2017 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Third sector organisations
Results and Impact Visit by a senior figure in the nuclear industry
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
 
Description Visit by Gareth Davies, Director BEIS, 28 September 2018 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Visit by very senior civil servant in science & innovation
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
 
Description Visit by Greg Falconer, Deputy Director BEIS, 10 October 2018 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Visit by senior civil servant in BEIS
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
 
Description Visit by Grigory Trubnikov, Deputy Minister of Education and Science Russia, 12 March 2018 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Visit by Russian energy minister influential in world fusion decisions especially ITER
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
 
Description Visit by HRH The Duke of Cambridge to open MAST-U experiment, 18 October 2018 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Media (as a channel to the public)
Results and Impact Visit by Prince William had major internal and external impact
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
 
Description Visit by HRH The Duke of York, 21 March 2018 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Visit from a senior royal.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
 
Description Visit by House of Lords EU Energy and Environment committee, 17 January 2018 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Visit by senior parliamentary committee advising on energy policy and delivery
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
 
Description Visit by Jesse Norman, BEIS Minister, 20 April 2017 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Visit by BEIS minister
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
 
Description Visit by Jo Shanmugalingam BEIS - November 2019 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Visit by Jo Shanmugalingam, BEIS
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
 
Description Visit by Joe McGeogh, IMechE President - December 2019 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Third sector organisations
Results and Impact Visit by IMechE president
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
 
Description Visit by John Clarke CEO of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, 10 May 2017 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Third sector organisations
Results and Impact Visit by senior figure in nuclear industry
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
 
Description Visit by John Howarth MEP, 20 November 2017 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Visit by regional MEP
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
 
Description Visit by John Manzoni, Permanent Secretary at the Cabinet Office, 28 April 2017 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Visit by very senior civil servant
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
 
Description Visit by Julie Girling MEP, 26 January 2018 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Visit by regional MEP
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
 
Description Visit by Layla Moran, local MP (Oxford West and Abingdon) 30 June 2017 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Visit by local MP to explain work by an organisation which employs many of her constituents.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
 
Description Visit by Lord Browne of Madingley, UKRI Board member, 25 September 2018 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Visit by senior industrialist and member of UKRI board
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
 
Description Visit by Lord Willetts, UKRI Board member, 6 July 2018 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Visit by form science minister and present member of UKRI board
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
 
Description Visit by Martin Agnew, Airbus 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact Visit by Martin Agnew, Airbus
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
 
Description Visit by Paul Dabbar, Under Secretary for Science, US DoE, 25 October 2018 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Visit by senior US Government figure, from DoE (we collaborate with DoE laboratories and initiatives).
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
 
Description Visit by Prof Paul Monks, Chief Scientific Advisor and Sarah Munby, Permanent Secretary, of BEIS 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Visit by the Perm Secretary and Chief Scientific Advisor of the department that owns and funds UKAEA-CCFE
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description Visit by Professor John Loughhead, BEIS Chief Scientific Advisor 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Visit by BEIS Chief Scientific Advisor
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
 
Description Visit by Rachel Reeves MP, 5 Oct 2017 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Visit by chair of House of Commons BEIS select committee
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
 
Description Visit by Rebecca Endean, Strategy Director UKRI, 24 August 2018 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Visit by senior figure in UKRI
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
 
Description Visit by Rt Hon Philip Hammond MP, then Chancellor of the Exchequer - May 2019 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Visit by then Chancellor the Exchequer
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
 
Description Visit by Rt Hon Boris Johnson, Prime Minister - August 2019 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Visit by the Prime Minister
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
 
Description Visit by Rt Hon Kwasi Kwarteng MP, Minister of State (Minister for Business, Energy and Clean Growth), 13 Aug 2020 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Visit by the Minister for Business, Energy and Clean Growth
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description Visit by SODC councillors - June 2019 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Visit by new SODC councillors
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
 
Description Visit by Sam Gyimah MP, Minister of State for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation, 11 October 2018 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Visit by science minister endorsing our work
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
 
Description Visit by Sir John Kingman, Chair of UKRI, 1 May 2018 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Visit by chair of organisation that funds UK research including UKAEA
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
 
Description Visit by Sir Patrick Vallance, Government Chief Scientific Adviser, 14 January 2019 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Visit by Government chief scientist to explain progress and status of fusion and other UKAEA activities
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
 
Description Visit by Thangam Debonnaire MP, 9 March 2018 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Visit by leading MP
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
 
Description Visit by Tim Stone, Chair NIA, 10 January 2019 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Third sector organisations
Results and Impact Visit by head of Nuclear Industry Association
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
 
Description Visit by Tom Brake MP, 15 June 2018 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Visit by LibDem MP with Brexit portfolio
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
 
Description Visit by Tony Curzon Price, BEIS - July 2019 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Visit by BEIS Chief Economist
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
 
Description Visit by members of the Dept for International Trade - Developing Sector Knowledge (Nuclear). 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Visit by members of DIT DSK (Nuclear)
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
 
Description Visitby Prof. Rachel Slaybaugh, Prog. Director ARPA-E US DoE, 7 November 2018 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Visit by senior US public sector technologist
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
 
Description Visits of CCFE staff to schools (April 17 to February 19) - 46 schools visited, 2600 children 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact These were visits by CCFE staff to mainly primary schools (Key Stage 2 children), using the sundome (original funded by EPSRC) as a mini-planetarium to illustrate fusion and wider physics.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017,2018,2019
URL http://www.ccfe.ac.uk/Visits.aspx