Industry-academia collaboration ushers in an early realisation of fusion energy
Kyoto Fusioneering (KF) has signed a special joint research agreement on plasma heating with National University of Tsukuba (University of Tsukuba). Under this agreement, KF will partner with Plasma Research Center at University of Tsukuba (Director: Prof. Mizuki Sakamoto) with the primary objective of advancing the technological maturity of plasma heating, one of the focus areas for KF, including the demonstration of continuous operation in low-frequency gyrotrons and the development of higher power output.
One of KF’s core businesses is the development and sale of gyrotrons, the plasma heating systems necessary to generate fusion reactions. KF’s advanced technical capabilities and customer-tailored solutions have awarded contracts from research institutes, including the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) and private entities such as General Atomics (San Diego, United States), solidifying our position as a trusted partner.
In 2023, KF and University of Tsukuba, together with an international industry-academic joint research group formed by the National Institute for Fusion Science (NIFS), UKAEA and Canon Electron Tube Device Corporation, achieved (link is to Japanese page only).
University of Tsukuba’s Plasma Research Center, established in 1979, has the world’s largest tandem mirror-type plasma confinement system, GAMMA 10/PDX (Gamma 10). GAMMA 10 provides a unique platform for verifying ultra-high plasma temperatures needed for fusion reactions and conducting various tests related to plasma heating. Associate Professor Tsuyoshi Kariya (Mathematical and Materials Sciences / Deputy Director of the Plasma Research Centre), who leads the research and development of the Gyrotron system, will also contribute extensive knowledge and expertise to this collaborative research.
KF looks forward to working with University of Tsukuba’s Plasma Research Center, leveraging collective expertise to drive advancements in plasma heating technology and usher in an early realisation of fusion energy.
About University of Tsukuba
University of Tsukuba was established in Tsukuba Science City in 1973 as a university that pursues studies ranging from the humanities and sciences to physical education and the arts. University of Tsukuba continues to take on new ‘reforms’ and ‘challenges’, without resting on the traditions of the Normal School, which supported the education that laid the foundations for Japan’s modernisation.
Tsukuba Science City, where the University of Tsukuba is located, is Japan’s largest centre for cutting-edge research and development. More than 30 research institutes, or about 30% of all national research institutes, are concentrated here, and more than 20,000 researchers are engaged in research activities. University of Tsukuba plays a central role in the city and aims to create a new center for industry-academia-government collaboration that will generate innovation.
About the Plasma Research Center, University of Tsukuba.
With the basic principle of contributing to the resolution of energy problems and global warming, Plasma Research Center promotes research on plasma nuclear fusion using the world’s largest tandem mirror-type plasma confinement device GAMMA10/PDX. It is tackling one of the biggest challenges in realising a fusion reactor, namely the compatibility of a 100-million-degree fusion plasma core and the room temperature wall surrounding it, and is leading the world in research on the control of the boundary plasma between the core and the wall and in the development of high-power millimetre-wave band microwave oscillation tubes (gyrotrons). Furthermore, in order to further accelerate research contributing to the development of DEMO reactors, we are currently constructing a new superconducting mirror-type device and are continuing our challenge to realise the ‘Sun on Earth’.
<University profile>
Name: National University Corporation University of Tsukuba
Established: 1973/10
Activities: To conduct education and research to meet the public’s demands for university education and research, and to improve the standards of higher education and academic research in Japan, and to promote balanced development.
President: Kyosuke Nagata, President of the University of Tsukuba
Faculty, staff and students: 5,395 faculty members and 16,655 students (as of 1 May 2023)
Location: 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki
HP: https://www.tsukuba.ac.jp/
About Kyoto Fusioneering Ltd
Kyoto Fusioneering is a privately funded fusion energy engineering company founded in 2019 building on decades of fusion research at Kyoto University. Uniquely dedicated to tackling advanced fusion engineering challenges, we use cutting-edge technologies such as gyrotron systems, tritium fuel cycles, breeding blankets, and hydrogen isotope transfer pumps. Collaborating globally with fusion innovators, both private and public, and focusing on critical-path technologies, we strive to deliver the promise of fusion . Headquartered in Tokyo, with a presence in the UK, and the U.S. and an in-house Kyoto R&D centre, we bring unmatched expertise and diverse solutions to the global fusion ecosystem. Explore more about KF’s vision for the future of energy at www.kyotofusioneering.com/en/ or by contacting media@kyotofusioneering.com
