Oxford Sigma

Last week, our CEO, Thomas P. Davis, attended the ASME (The American Society of Mechanical Engineers) Code Week, October 2024. As Chair of the Boiler Pressure Vessel (BPV) Section III Division 4 subgroup, Thomas and the Division 4 committee have been diligently working to develop construction codes specifically tailored for fusion power plants, ensuring they meet the requirements of the fusion industry. This quarter, the committee have made substantial progress in establishing a new framework for the Code. Collaborations with JSME have focused on superconducting magnet construction standards with a comprehensive system approach. The Working Group for Materials has initiated the formation of a materials qualification route to ensure structural integrity. The Division 4 fusion stakeholders group have engaged with over 20 companies, led by Reuben Holmes.   In collaboration with Oxford Sigma, EPRI, Andrew Sowder, Diana Grandas, the dedicated Division 4 group are laying the foundational elements of the Code to shape the future of fusion power plants. 🔗 Invitation to Collaborate: We invite those interested in supporting the development of these pioneering standards to reach out. Together, we can drive the future of sustainable energy. #ASME #Fusion #Materials #Nuclear #NuclearFusion

🌟 Join Oxford Sigma as a Graduate Engineer for Fusion Energy 🌟   Do you want to work with some of the leading experts and innovators in the field? Are you passionate about tackling climate change and energy security with fusion energy? ⚛   Oxford Sigma is offering full time ✨Graduate Engineer✨ roles with our technical team to support our core businesses in fusion starting in September 2025.   For full details, and the application process see the link below: 🔗 oxfordsigma.com/careers   #FusionEnergy #MaterialsEngineering #CleanEnergy #GraduateEngineers

🌍 Oxford Sigma, Advancing Nuclear Materials at NuMat 2024 Singapore 🌍 This week, Oxford Sigma’s CEO and Co-founder, Thomas P. Davis, attended NuMat: The Nuclear Materials Conference. NuMat is a leading international forum for nuclear materials science, including sessions on nuclear power in Southeast Asia and tracks on fuels, structural materials, and radiation effects. We were inspired by Singapore’s strategic vision for fusion and small nuclear technologies, showcasing their commitment to innovation. The event highlighted significant advancements in nuclear fusion materials and technologies, featuring a strong UK presence. Key discussions included the development of steels and functional materials like Silicon Carbide (SiC), with a focus on radiation performance ⚛️ . Prof. Davis presented his findings on ASME code-qualified ferritic-martensitic steels, such as Grade 91, which are crucial for fast fission nuclear and fusion reactors. His research at the Idaho National Laboratory Advanced Test Reactor used atom probe tomography to study Mn–Ni–Si-rich and Cu-rich co-precipitates, essential for understanding and mitigating mechanical degradation in these materials. 🔬 NuMat continues to bring together a vibrant fusion community of academic institutions, national laboratories, and industry leaders, highlighting ASME’s pivotal role in bridging these diverse sectors through the establishment of a framework for fusion materials qualification for pressure systems. Together, Oxford Sigma calls for engagement in the nuclear materials community to communicate progress, receive feedback, and adjust codes & standards where necessary.🤝 #NuMat2024 #TheNuclearMaterialsConference2024 #Innovation #FusionPowerPlant #ASME #NuclearFusion #SmallNuclear #UKFusion #NuMatSingapore24 #FusionMaterials

Next week, we will be at #NuMat2024: The Nuclear Materials Conference in Singapore. Nuclear materials is a driving force of Oxford Sigma’s mission, and the developments in the field are critical to realising fusion energy. Look out for us at the conference, or reach out if you want to catch-up. We will be talking about: Materials qualification for fusion in ASME (The American Society of Mechanical Engineers) BPV Section III Division 4 “Fusion Energy Devices” Code https://lnkd.in/eFPc7iqZ Our CEO and co-founder Thomas P. Davis’ research on the atom probe characterisation of segregation driven Cu and Mn–Ni–Si co-precipitation in neutron irradiated Grade 91 ferritic-martensitic steel https://lnkd.in/euTZ9U7N Bradley Young's work on High temperature liquid lithium corrosion of CNA and ODS steel alloys. https://lnkd.in/etrQcZhU

This week, our CEO and Co-founder, Thomas P. Davis has been supporting the training of professionals through the Fusion Industry School in Oxford. The school, run by the Fusion Centre for Doctoral Training program, aims to provide an overview of the current progress and challenges to industry professionals. Oxford Sigma brought our perspectives on Codes and Standards to the participants, and examined how they ensure quality of components and materials performance during power plant operation. Learn more about the school here: https://lnkd.in/drDVrN_H

Oxford Sigma is proud to be supporting the OxLEP Business marketplace and celebrations today #OBMAC24. Oxfordshire is a region of exceptional innovation with an international reputation and OxLEP provide means of support 💪 for many of the growing #SMEs in the region. OxLEP’s support has enabled us to develop new technologies 🧮, innovations 💡, and approaches and we are pleased to be able to support the celebrations of our home region today 🏡.

We are working together with Guardian Metal Resources to better understand the current and future needs for strategic materials in #fusion energy. #Tungsten is one of the key metals needed for commercial fusion power plants. It has the highest melting point among all elements and is resistant to radiation damage, making it suitable for the harsh environment required for plasma-facing applications. We have been developing a tool to identify suitable materials for different fusion power plant types, alongside #GMET's knowledge on critical mineral supply, the combination allows the prediction of how different elements will need to be used in commercial fusion power plants.   Understanding and predicting how the demand and supply of tungsten will evolve in the coming decades is important for the fusion community, where it is one of the most widely specified special materials. The collaboration is enabling a deep understanding of the supply chain for power plants for the future.

It's great to have a strong local community to bring together the knowledge, skills and training for the next generation. Seeing all the great work and world-leading machines in our locale really brings this home.

Oxford Sigma and Tungsten West plc are joining forces to deepen our knowledge of high-purity tungsten for advancing #fusion energy and exploring the local supply💡 Tungsten is a crucial material for fusion power plants, with its unique properties keeping it in the materials spotlight, and securing local supply will be an enormous boost to the feasibility of fusion power ⚡ This week Oxford Sigma have been with Tungsten West at Hemerdon, in Devon. We have been learning about the global market dynamics and processing techniques to combine with our knowledge on reactor design and the volumes of material needed. #Collaboration #TungstenInnovation #FusionEnergy

Welcome to the Oxford Sigma Team, Emily Rose Lewis!