Durham University scientists have taken a significant step forward in the global quest for fusion energy, completing a massive quality verification programme on superconducting materials crucial for the world’s largest fusion experiment, ITER. Their work, detailed in Superconductor Science and Technology, provides valuable insights into the performance of superconducting wires and the most effective testing methods, knowledge deemed vital for making fusion energy a practical reality.
Fusion, the same process that powers the Sun, holds the promise of a virtually limitless supply of clean energy with no carbon emissions and minimal radioactive waste. ITER, currently under construction in southern France, is designed to demonstrate fusion at scale. Its success hinges entirely on giant superconducting magnets, capable of confining plasma at temperatures hotter than the Sun’s core.
Durham’s team, led by Professor Damian Hampshire and Dr Mark Raine, was selected in 2011 to act as one of Europe’s official ITER reference laboratories. Their task was to develop specialised methods to test superconducting wires made from Nb₃Sn and Nb–Ti, the backbone of ITER’s magnet system. Over the duration of the project, the team received more than 5,500 wire samples and conducted around 13,000 individual measurements. The research included extensive statistical analysis, showing that when repeat measurements are not possible, cross-laboratory testing of adjacent strands provides a reliable and cost-effective way of ensuring accuracy and manufacturing consistency.
Professor Hampshire said: “The UK leads the world in the manufacture of MRI body scanners using superconducting magnets. The question is can we help lead the world with the commercialisation of Fusion Power generation using Superconducting magnets?”
Their findings come as momentum in fusion accelerates worldwide. ITER aims for first plasma in 2035, while private firms such as Helion and Commonwealth Fusion Systems target earlier commercial reactors. The UK government has committed £2.5 billion to its own prototype fusion plant, STEP, in Nottinghamshire.
This development could significantly influence the trajectory of the fusion sector. The rigorous testing and verification methods pioneered by Durham University not only ensure the reliability of ITER’s superconducting magnets but also set a benchmark for future fusion projects. The insights gained from this work could accelerate the commercialisation of fusion energy, making it a more viable and attractive option for global energy markets. As private companies and governments race to bring fusion reactors online, the durability and consistency of superconducting materials will be critical to their success. Durham’s contributions could very well shape the standards and practices that define the next era of fusion energy development.