SEATTLE, WA — Kyoto Fusioneering America Ltd., the Seattle-based subsidiary of Kyoto Fusioneering Ltd. (KF), has been awarded a prestigious grant from the US Department of Energy (DOE) through its Innovation Network for Fusion Energy (INFUSE) program. The award, entitled “Preparation & Characterization of Li-6-enriched Lithium-Lead Samples for Neutron Irradiation,” marks KF’s fourth INFUSE award, building on the three grants received last year. In collaboration with Idaho National Laboratory (INL), this project aims to significantly contribute to the technological advancements needed to commercialize fusion energy.
INFUSE, a groundbreaking DOE initiative launched last year, seeks to strengthen public-private research partnerships by providing the private fusion industry with access to the world-class expertise and capabilities of DOE’s national laboratories and accredited US universities.
Dr. Satoshi Konishi, Kyoto Fusioneering’s CEO, Chief Fusioneer, and Co-Founder, expressed his gratitude in being part of the INFUSE community for the second consecutive year: “We are truly honored and excited to receive this award in collaboration with INL. Through our joint research on Li-6, a key material in fusion, we are committed to contributing to the future of fusion energy through innovation and collaboration with the US scientific community.”
Lithium is typically found in its natural form, with only a small amount of the Li-6 isotope present. Obtaining pure Li-6 is a challenging process, and this marks the first time that a private fusion company, through INL, will have experimental access to this vital lithium isotope. The isotope has the potential to significantly enhance tritium breeding in blankets and is therefore suggested in most breeding blanket designs.
Chris Dorn, KF America’s Principal Engineer in Plant Technology and Principal Investigator for the awarded project, added, “INL is uniquely positioned within the DOE to perform this work with Li-6, and KFA believes that strategic partnerships like this one with INL are vital for accelerating progress towards the commercialization of fusion and for securing a sustainable energy future.” We are dedicated to supporting the US DOE’s public-private partnership policy. Through the INFUSE program and collaborations with US national laboratories, we aim to achieve key engineering milestones that will help bridge the gap between current programs and the DOE’s Bold Decadal Vision for fusion technology.
About Kyoto Fusioneering, Ltd.
Kyoto Fusioneering is a privately funded fusion energy engineering company founded in 2019 and built on decades of fusion research at Kyoto University. Uniquely dedicated to tackling advanced fusion engineering challenges, we develop cutting-edge technologies for fusion power plants, including 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 on the promise of fusion. Headquartered in Tokyo, with a presence in the UK, US, and Germany, 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
