• First Light Fusion Wins UKAEA Contract to Prove Natural Lithium Shielding Concept DownloadPDF Copy ViewSupplierProfile First Light Fusion, the UK-based pioneer in advanced energy and impact technologies, has today announced it has been awarded funding for its Natural Lithium Shielding project under the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) Fusion Industry Programme. • The program has awarded a total of £8.1 million to 14 organizations to develop shielding and fusion fuel technologies for future fusion power plants. • 11 organizations have secured contracts to develop sustainable shielding solutions for fusion environments, while three others have received funding to scale-up projects - initiated in 2023 - which address key challenges in fusion fuel technology. • Related Stories British Fusion Energy Technology on Show at Key Climate Change Forum MI-4 First Light Fusion to Build Gain Demonstration Facility at UKAEA’s Culham Campus First Light Achieves World First Fusion Result, Proving Unique New Target Technology First Light Fusion’s Natural Lithium Shielding project scope is as follows: Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) reactors have similar, but in some respects, also distinctly different shielding requirements to magnetic confinement reactors (MCF). • One of the key differences is the typically compact source of neutrons (the load) and the ability to bring a thick shield close to the load and fully surround it. • This shielding material would ideally and simultaneously be able to meet the following requirements: provide neutron and gamma shielding absorb neutron energy and act as a coolant breed sufficient tritium to maintain operations while incorporating some blanket gain reduce neutron fluence to extend vessel lifetime and minimize radioactive waste mitigate shock wave and debris damage from the fusion event achieve lowest possible environmental lifecycle impact First Light Fusion’s initial calculations have shown ’natural lithium,’ meaning lithium with a natur

Article Summaries:

  • First Light Fusion has secured a UKAEA Fusion Industry Programme contract to investigate a natural‑lithium blanket for inertial confinement fusion (ICF) reactors. The £8.1 million award, shared among 14 organisations, supports 11 shielding projects and three fuel‑technology initiatives. The company’s proposal calls for a detailed feasibility study of a thick, in‑vessel lithium blanket that would provide neutron and gamma shielding, act as a coolant, breed tritium, reduce vessel damage, and minimise environmental impact. First Light Fusion, based in Oxford, aims to demonstrate that natural lithium can meet these multiple roles in ICF geometries, advancing UK fusion research.

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