TAE Technologies and the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) have initiated the manufacturing and assembly phase for a new neutral beam injector (NBI) system. The collaboration, which builds on a 2022 partnership agreement, will see the advanced NBI developed and deployed at UKAEA's Culham Science Centre in Oxfordshire, England. This system is a critical component for TAE's next-generation fusion device, Copernicus, which is designed to demonstrate net energy gain. The project combines TAE's NBI technology with UKAEA's extensive expertise in power supplies, cryogenics, and auxiliary heating systems, representing a significant public-private partnership in the fusion sector. Source: UKAEA

The neutral beam injector is engineered to operate at energies up to 100 keV, delivering powerful particle injection essential for plasma heating and stability. In the field-reversed configuration (FRC) topology employed by TAE Technologies, NBIs serve a dual purpose: they sustain the plasma temperature and provide the large-orbit, stabilizing particles necessary to maintain the FRC against magnetohydrodynamic instabilities. This active plasma control is a cornerstone of TAE's approach, which aims to achieve fusion conditions with an advanced, aneutronic hydrogen-boron (p-B11) fuel cycle. The performance of this NBI system will be a key determinant in the operational success of the subsequent Copernicus machine. Source: UKAEA

The neutral beam injector is engineered to operate at energies up to 100 keV, delivering powerful particle injection essential for plasma heating and stability.

Copernicus is TAE's planned $250 million facility, intended to operate at temperatures exceeding 100 million degrees Celsius and demonstrate the viability of achieving net energy gain. It follows the company's current fifth-generation device, Norman, which has successfully demonstrated plasma sustainment at over 75 million degrees Celsius. The development at Culham leverages the site's infrastructure and long-standing experience, which includes hosting the Joint European Torus (JET) for four decades. This collaboration allows TAE to access specialized engineering capabilities and facilities without duplicating significant capital investment, accelerating its development timeline. Source: UKAEA

The partnership reflects a broader trend of private fusion companies collaborating with government-funded laboratories to de-risk critical technologies. For the UK Atomic Energy Authority, the project aligns with its mission to stimulate a domestic fusion supply chain and position the UK as a leader in the commercialization of fusion energy. Steve Melia, UKAEA's Head of Business Development, stated that the joint effort helps develop the specialized UK-based manufacturing and engineering capabilities required for future fusion power plants. The project's progression into hardware manufacturing marks a tangible step from design and planning toward operational readiness for TAE's next machine. Source: UKAEA