Aegis Fibretech, a spin-out from the University of Birming
ham, has presented early test results showing that its new
electrospun materials can capture and contain neutrons gener
ated in nuclear fusion processes after they slow down.
Aegis Fibretech produces very lightweight materials and has
already demonstrated that they offer strong thermal insulation,
acting as heat barriers at temperatures up to 1,000°C.
At the Fusion Industry Shielding Showcase held in Abingdon by
the UK Atomic Energy Authority on April 29, the company
demonstrated that a modified version of its materials can
effectively slow down and capture fusion neutrons. This supports the idea of using layered shielding systems in fusion reactors.
These new shielding materials were developed through a project
supported by the Authority under the Fusion Industry
Programme (FIP), which aims to strengthen the UK’s fusion
ecosystem and prepare it for future global opportunities in fusion
energy.
Dr Gowsihan Poologasundarampillai, co-founder of Aegis
Fibretech and a researcher at King’s College London, stated that
new developments in materials science are key to making fusion
energy safe and commercially viable. She highlighted the
collaborative efforts of scientists and industry experts in
creating this sustainable shielding solution.