Webinar: Advanced Scientific Materials for Fusion Breakthroughs
2pm – 2.45pm 7 October 2025
Join us for an insightful webinar, exploring the role of advanced materials in achieving nuclear fusion.
Webinar Overview
This webinar, which is organised by the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IoM3), explores the vital role of advanced materials in enabling nuclear fusion, focusing on the extreme conditions within fusion reactors—like extreme heat, neutron flux, plasma interactions—and the materials designed to withstand them.
We will also discuss the UK’s strategic investment in fusion, including the STEP programme, which aims to deliver a fusion power plant by 2040.
The free webinar is hosted by IoM3.
Agenda
| Speaker | Topics |
|
Adam Sells |
Introduction: Highlighting Goodfellow’s contributions to fusion breakthroughs, including our involvement in the 2022 LLNL fusion success, and showcasing material solutions for hydrogen permeation, reactor construction, high-temperature ceramics, and radiation-resistant coatings. |
|
Professor Arunodaya Bhattacharya |
Overview of fusion concepts Promotion of the Fusion Engineering Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT), a national centre offering multidisciplinary training and research opportunities in fusion science and technology, preparing the next generation of engineers and scientists for the global fusion energy sector. |
|
Ben Evans |
Fusion materials for the UK supply chain, focusing on key materials needs and opportunities for collaboration Case study: NEURONE programme (Neutron Irradiation of Advanced Steels), demonstrating how industry–academia partnerships advance fusion components. |
|
Ben Raeves |
Brief introduction to Kyoto Fusioneering Case study: Kyoto Fusioneering and Goodfellow’s collaboration on Hydrogen Permeation Sensors (TRI-PRISM) Other ongoing material R&D activities at Kyoto Fusioneering |
|
Everyone |
Q&A |
Guest Speakers
Meet our guest speakers:
Professor Arunodaya Bhattacharya PhD
University of Birmingham, School of Metallurgy and Materials
Professor Bhattacharya is an internationally recognised expert in fusion and fission energy systems with expertise in nuclear materials. He is the Chair in Fusion Energy at the University of Birmingham, where he leads research and development on advanced structural alloys, reactor shielding, and plasma-facing components. Previously, he held significant roles at the UK Atomic Energy Authority and Oak Ridge National Laboratory in the US, managing and delivering major international research funding. His pioneering work includes studies on radiation effects in Fe-Cr alloys and advancing materials such as ultra-high temperature ceramics for fusion applications. He is co-director of the Fusion Engineering CDT and a strong advocate for global collaboration and innovation in fusion materials.
Ben Evans PhD
Materials Engineer at UKAEA
Ben Evans is a Materials Engineer at the UK Atomic Energy Authority, specialising in fusion materials. He contributes to the NEURONE programme, developing advanced reduced-activation ferritic martensitic (A-RAFM) steels for nuclear applications. His background includes research on tungsten manufacture and repair for first wall applications, with a focus on the relationship between processing, microstructure, and performance. Ben is particularly interested in bridging advanced materials research with industrial application, supporting supply chain development and enabling technology transfer between fusion and adjacent sectors. He completed his PhD in Materials Science at the University of Oxford as part of the Fusion CDT, where his research focused on the manufacture and characterisation of vacuum plasma sprayed tungsten coatings on steel for fusion applications.
Ben Raeves MEng
Mechanical Engineer at Kyoto Fusioneering
Ben Raeves is a Mechanical Engineer at the KFUK blanket engineering team. Ben’s background is in aerospace engineering, focusing on structural analysis and test rig design. His recent work includes thermo-mechanical analysis and design of SiC/SiC structures for KF’s SCYLLA blanket concept. He has also worked on the design of hydrogen permeation sensors for LiPb, FliBe, and Li as part of a LIBRTI feeder stream project, covering both mechanical and vacuum system design.
This webinar offers IOM3 members, materials scientists, engineers, nuclear energy professionals, and anyone else interested in sustainable energy a unique chance to meet leading fusion experts and engage with the latest advances in materials science.
