First Light Fusion Wins UKAEA Contract to Prove Natural Lithium Shielding Concept

First Light Fusion, the UK-based pioneer in advanced energy and impact technologies, has today announced it has been awarded funding for its Natural Lithium Shielding project under the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) Fusion Industry Programme.

The program has awarded a total of £8.1 million to 14 organizations to develop shielding and fusion fuel technologies for future fusion power plants. 11 organizations have secured contracts to develop sustainable shielding solutions for fusion environments, while three others have received funding to scale-up projects – initiated in 2023 – which address key challenges in fusion fuel technology.

First Light Fusion’s Natural Lithium Shielding project scope is as follows:

Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) reactors have similar, but in some respects, also distinctly different shielding requirements to magnetic confinement reactors (MCF). One of the key differences is the typically compact source of neutrons (the load) and the ability to bring a thick shield close to the load and fully surround it. This shielding material would ideally and simultaneously be able to meet the following requirements:

1. provide neutron and gamma shielding
2. absorb neutron energy and act as a coolant
3. breed sufficient tritium to maintain operations while incorporating some blanket gain
4. reduce neutron fluence to extend vessel lifetime and minimize radioactive waste
5. mitigate shock wave and debris damage from the fusion event
6. achieve lowest possible environmental lifecycle impact

First Light Fusion’s initial calculations have shown ‘natural lithium,’ meaning lithium with a natural isotopic abundance of Li6 and Li7, looks like a strong candidate and able to simultaneously satisfy these multiple roles, particularly in ICF geometries. However, a more detailed feasibility study is required.

As part of its submission, First Light Fusion propose to research the feasibility of a thick, in-vessel, dynamically structured, continuous blanket of recycled natural lithium through a series of neutronics, shock physics, engineering and decommissioning studies.

Christian Bradley, First Light Fusion, Group Lead, Reactor Design (and project lead) said: "We’re thrilled to be taking part in this project, the results of which will help further the development of fusion energy here in the UK.”

First Light Fusion is a world leader in inertial fusion research and advanced impact technologies. Founded in Oxford, UK, the company aims to deliver clean, limitless energy while driving innovation across aerospace, defence, and materials science.