Contracts for Innovation: Novel shielding materials and technologies for fusion
Join to apply for the Contracts for Innovation: Novel shielding materials and technologies for fusion role at Innovate UK ICURe
Contracts for Innovation: Novel shielding materials and technologies for fusion
2 weeks ago Be among the first 25 applicants
Join to apply for the Contracts for Innovation: Novel shielding materials and technologies for fusion role at Innovate UK ICURe
Get AI-powered advice on this job and more exclusive features.
This is a Contracts for Innovation (previously SBRI) competition funded by the UK Atomic Energy Authority. The aim of the competition is to develop solutions to fusion energy challenges in two key priority areas. The competition has one theme: Novel shielding materials and technologies for fusion. This covers:
* Reducing the carbon footprint of fusion power plants through novel radiation shields.
* Improving the economic prospects for fusion through lower cost, flexibly deployable, or reusable radiation shielding.
* Reducing external dose and increasing component survival through improved shielding.
This is a Phase 1 feasibility study and there is no restriction on technology readiness level. Future phases will depend on funding.
We expect to fund a number of projects. Each project should start by October 2026 and be delivered by April 2026, lasting up to 6 months. Each project can range in size up to total costs of £250,000, inclusive of VAT. (The total budget is £2.5m.)
Further documentation is available by registering on the UK government’s contracts finder at the link below, and expressing your interest in the contract.
* To lead a project, you must be an eligible organisation of any size with a UK registration or registered office (this includes academic organisations and businesses).
You may work alone or with others from business, research organisations, research and technology organisations or the third sector as subcontractors
Applicants are welcome from all sectors.
* The aim of this competition is to promote innovation in radiological shielding for the expected usage cases within future fusion power plants including, but not limited to, the STEP prototype. The different applications include shielding from neutrons – both interior or exterior to a fusion vessel, as well as shielding from gamma dose during operation and maintenance. But the requirement is more than just sufficient shielding; there is a desire to innovate to reduce the carbon/environmental impact of shielding during manufacture, transport, installation and decommissioning, as well as reducing cost where possible by reducing mass/volume requirements (which will also help to make fusion systems easier to design and manufacture) and encouraging recycling/re-use.
A Proposal Could Focus On
* Novel shielding materials and designs for in-vessel neutron and gamma shielding; solutions that provide sufficient shielding with a minimised volume and/or mass.
* High efficacy in-vessel shielding with improved radiation tolerance and environmental compatibility (thermomechanical loading, corrosion resistance, fuel retention, etc.) to improve component lifetimes (and thereby reduce replacement requirements, overall cost and environmental impact).
* Reduced activation options for in-vessel shielding – lowering the lifetime activation of the shield components will be important for reducing lifetime environmental impact (and decommissioning costs).
* Novel modular shielding for ex-vessel (e.g. bioshield) applications with reduced lifecycle (manufacture, operation, decommission) carbon footprint.
* Modular shielding solutions (particularly for ex-vessel), considering both new (lightweight) materials and/or novel fabrication methods to achieve modularity. Challenges will exist around ensuring the modularity doesn’t create reduced shielding performance (e.g. due to shine paths).
* Shielding solutions that balance reusability against initial fabrication cost (economic and environmental) – considering whether a reusable system can have a higher initial environmental footprint or cost of manufacture but this can be offset against increased total lifetime. This could apply to both in-vessel and ex-vessel applications.
For full technical specifications with details of shield performance requirements, please register at the link below and download the supporting documents.
* Your proposal must:
* reduce the risk involved in the take up of new technologies
* outline plans to accelerate time to market
* be pre-commercial
* explain the rationale for the solution and describe the expected impact
* define how the proposed solution would enable and support the delivery of sustainable fusion power plants
* demonstrate a clear plan for commercialisation with a route to market for affordable, developed solutions
* describe how solutions can be tested in a representative or real world
* explain how any potentially negative outcomes would be managed, such as on the environment or society
* demonstrate how you will work with at least one potential future customer throughout your project
* how export control and regulation will be addressed
Your Solution Must
* be based on sound fundamental technical principles
* be innovative
* be practical and deliverable
* take affordability into consideration
* demonstrate the potential for cost-effectiveness
* integrate with existing systems where necessary
* consider user experience throughout the design and development process
Preference Will Be Given To Applications Which
* help the innovation be formally accepted for future use in a fusion plant environment, for example by obtaining relevant regulatory certificates
* offer innovations which consider existing infrastructure and potential interfaces
You must demonstrate a credible and practical route to market, so your application must include a plan to commercialise your results.
* A briefing event was held on Wednesday 16 July at 11am: register at the link below to access the slides and recording.
For additional queries, contact emily.akehurst@ukaea.uk.
For help to find a subcontractor or collaboration partner, please contact Innovate UK Business Connect’s Energy team or Materials team.
Find out more and apply
Seniority level
* Seniority level
Entry level
Employment type
* Employment type
Contract
Job function
* Job function
Legal
* Industries
Research Services
Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at Innovate UK ICURe by 2x
Sign in to set job alerts for “Contract Specialist” roles.
Swindon, England, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago
Grove, England, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago
Newbury, England, United Kingdom 1 day ago
Cirencester, England, United Kingdom 1 month ago
Contracts for Innovation: Resource Efficient Chemicals Impacts
Swindon, England, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago
Trowbridge, England, United Kingdom 2 days ago
Cirencester, England, United Kingdom 3 days ago
Harwell, England, United Kingdom 3 weeks ago
Health and Safety Administrator - 6 Months Fixed Term Contract
Grove, England, United Kingdom 3 days ago
Cirencester, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago
Brize Norton, England, United Kingdom 4 days ago
Contracts for Innovation: Resource Efficient Automotive Impacts
Swindon, England, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago
Cirencester, England, United Kingdom 2 days ago
Witney, England, United Kingdom 1 month ago
Defence Modelling & Simulation Office (DMSO) Business Support Officer (BSO)
Shrivenham, England, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago
Swindon, England, United Kingdom 3 days ago
Harwell, England, United Kingdom 5 days ago
Marlborough, England, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago
Burford, England, United Kingdom 3 weeks ago
Cirencester, England, United Kingdom 2 days ago
Swindon, England, United Kingdom 5 days ago
Resource Planner - Littlecombe Depot - Dursley
Stroud, England, United Kingdom 1 day ago
Witney, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago
Operations Co-Ordinator (Client Transfers)
Cirencester, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago
Long Hanborough, England, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago
Administrator | Duke of Gloucester Barracks
Cirencester, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago
We’re unlocking community knowledge in a new way. Experts add insights directly into each article, started with the help of AI.
#J-18808-Ljbffr