We seek technologies that focus on joining dissimilar high temperature refractory materials to suitable structural alloys, inspecting the joining processes, and assessing quality of the joints. The capabilities of interest are, but not limited to:
Bonding Technologies
Tokamaks use many novel materials which are required to be bonded to each other. These materials have very high melting temperatures, such as Tungsten, or specialized alloys where conventional joining techniques are unsuitable and innovative bonding methods are needed.
Materials to be bonded include:
- Tungsten and its alloys
- Beryllium
- Ferritic martensitic steel
- Stainless steel
- Copper and its alloys
Proposed approaches must:
- Address dissimilar thermal expansion across material boundaries
- Joints must be safe under high degree of vacuum
NDT Inspections
Once materials have been bonded, it’s crucial to confirm the integrity of the joints. The joints between dissimilar materials can be particularly challenging. To that end, effective testing techniques are needed. Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) approaches will allow UKAEA and CFS to inspect components prior to, during and after operation. All technologies for non-destructive inspecting of bonding are in scope, including ones adapted from outside the energy market.
Participants are welcome to adapt solutions from other industries that can be utilized to solve fusion materials challenges.
Proposed approaches must:
- Be suitable for specialized alloys, including:
- Tungsten and its alloys
- Beryllium
- Ferritic martensitic steel
- Stainless steel
- Copper and its alloys
- Identify and quantify flaws in bonds between first wall and structural materials
Technical Maturity
While UKAEA and CFS have the greatest interest in technologies and approaches that are closer to commercial implementation, all technical maturities are eligible to enter this Challenge.
How to Enter
To participate in the Fusion Manufacturing Challenge, you must submit your response online prior to the submission deadline: Friday, April 21 by 8pm Eastern Standard Time. Responses must include only non-confidential, non-proprietary content. Late submissions will not be accepted.
Why Enter?
Following the Challenge, up to ten (10) finalists will be invited to discuss details surrounding possible long-term collaboration with both UKAEA and CFS, such as joint development or technology licensing. Finalists are not required to enter into a contract with either UKAEA or CFS in order to win the Challenge.
All finalists will receive a fully-paid registration for up to two (2) individuals to attend TechConnect World Innovation Conference and Expo at National Harbor near Washington, D.C. in June 2023 (transportation and hotel not included) to take part in the Fusion Energy Symposium.
Furthermore, TechConnect, a division of Advanced Technology International, will introduce finalists to representatives from the various consortia which ATI manages. Consortia span numerous industries and applications and represent over $50B in contract authority with the US government. For the full list of consortia, please visit the ATI Collaborations page.