Aegis Fibretech, a spin-out from the University of Birmingham, has presented early test results showing that its new electrospun materials can capture and contain neutrons generated in nuclear fusion processes after they slow down.

Aegis Fibretech produces very lightweight materials and has already demonstrated that they offer strong thermal insulation, acting as heat barriers at temperatures up to 1,000°C.

At the Fusion Industry Shielding Showcase held in Abingdon by the UK Atomic Energy Authority on April 29, the company demonstrated that a modified version of its materials can effectively slow down and capture fusion neutrons. This supports the idea of using layered shielding systems in fusion reactors.

These new shielding materials were developed through a project supported by the Authority under the Fusion Industry Programme (FIP), which aims to strengthen the UK’s fusion ecosystem and prepare it for future global opportunities in fusion energy.

Dr Gowsihan Poologasundarampillai, co-founder of Aegis Fibretech and a researcher at King’s College London, stated that new developments in materials science are key to making fusion energy safe and commercially viable. She highlighted the collaborative efforts of scientists and industry experts in creating this sustainable shielding solution.